As part of Social Economy Europe’s 2025 European Summit in Murcia, a gala ceremony on Wednesday 17 September took place during which the winners of the 2025 edition of the Social Economy Awards were announced.
Since 2021, the Social Economy Awards have recognised remarkable social economy initiatives, giving them visibility to key SE actors and institutional representatives. This was the 3rd edition of the awards which recognise outstanding social economy initiatives that embody the values of people over profit, democratic governance, and the reinvesting of profits to pursue social objectives.
For the 2025 awards, SEE received 140 nominations from social economy initiatives in 35 European countries. The awards were divided across five categories, many of which were and represent the full scope of areas in which the social economy supports EU priorities. This includes education, local governance, housing, energy and integration.
Winners were decided by balanced pre-selection and final juries of social economy experts, researchers, and representatives of EU Institutions who were tasked with selecting three finalists for each category.
Thank you to all the organisations and entities who submitted their initiatives for the 2025 awards, as well as to the ceremony’s co-organisers and sponsors including CEPES, the City of Murcia, the Region of Murcia, the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, Ucomur, and ENSIE.
Thank you also to our Masters of Ceremony, Chris Gordon and Azucena Martin, our musical entertainers, El Sótano del Doctor, and everyone who attended the gala event in-person and online!
Presenting the winners of the 3rd edition of the Social Economy Awards...
Category: Social Economy Training & Education
Training and education remain crucial for the social economy, not only in nurturing future generations of initiatives but also aligning with European Commission priorities promoting inclusive growth, lifelong learning, and skills development that support social innovation, democratic participation, and equal opportunities across Europe. The Training and Education category awards entities that provide outstanding and innovative training or education curricula linked to skills needed specifically to develop a social economy initiative or for people who work – or would like to work – in the SE ecosystem.
Category Winner: Asociación de Empresas de Economía Social de Navarra (ANEL)
EdukaCoop is an educational initiative from Navarre, Spain, launched by ANEL to integrate cooperative values and social economy principles into schools and universities. It addresses the gap between formal education and the cooperative sector by promoting solidarity, democratic participation, sustainability, and innovation through experiential learning and partnerships. With over 2,500 students engaged, EdukaCoop has developed tailored resources and fostered real-world connections with cooperative enterprises, encouraging environmental and technological awareness. Recognised by the Navarre Government, it aims to cultivate a new generation of socially responsible entrepreneurs.
Second place: Passerelles et Compétences
Passerelles et Compétences is a French initiative that connects skilled professionals with nonprofits in need of expertise through short-term, skill-based volunteering. Active since 2002, it has supported over 6,700 associations in areas like strategy, HR, IT, and governance, completing 657 missions in 2024 alone. With 18 local branches, it blends digital tools with personalised matching to foster inclusive, cross-sector collaboration. The initiative also promotes long-term board engagement and direct support for vulnerable groups, strengthening civil society and advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
Third place: İzmir Another School is Possible Education Cooperative
The İzmir Another School is Possible (ASIP) Education Cooperative, founded in 2014 in Türkiye, offers a child-centred, democratic, and rights-based alternative to traditional education. Rooted in the “Başka Bir Okul Mümkün” movement, its school, Renkli Orman, promotes ecological sustainability, gender equality, and participatory governance. Operating independently of state and market influences, ASIP fosters inclusive learning through cooperative principles, emotional well-being, and solidarity-based funding. Key achievements include a cooperative-run school, sliding-scale tuition, and national and international outreach, making it a pioneering model of socially conscious education.
Category: Local Governments Quality Social Economy Action Plan
As social economy initiatives are always rooted in the local community, our Local Governments category aims to encourage the embedding of the social economy in local strategies, as the local level is a crucial level to stimulate enabling SE policies. This award recognises action plans by local authorities that have successfully implemented quality social economy plans in their communities.
Category Winner: Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg has emerged as a leading centre for social economy, shaped by nearly 20 years of grassroots collaboration and innovation rooted in European values of solidarity, democracy, and humanism. The city fosters a cooperative ecosystem through initiatives like the Social and Solidarity Council and the 100% Learning Territory, which promote co-designed public policy and entrepreneurial support. Strasbourg’s commitment extends internationally, exemplified by hosting “Social Economy: The Future of Europe,” a major European event. Through collective action and social innovation, Strasbourg is building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Second place: Service Public de Wallonie, Belgium
The Service Public de Wallonie in Belgium launched the Alternativ’ES Wallonia strategy in 2020 to strengthen the region’s long-standing commitment to social economy enterprises. Led by the Directorate for the Social Economy, the strategy promotes sustainable employment, social cohesion, and equitable economic practices across five priority sectors. Backed by a legal framework and dedicated funding, it includes 30 concrete actions such as cooperative grants, university chairs, microcredits, and youth entrepreneurship support. The initiative also encourages digital transformation, international collaboration, and sustainable public procurement, positioning Wallonia as a key advocate for a fair and inclusive economic transition.
Third place: Región de Murcia, Spain
The Region of Murcia’s Pact for Excellence in the Social Economy is a long-term initiative by the regional government to strengthen and promote the sector through collaboration with key organisations. Now in its sixth edition, the Pact builds on over 20 years of progress, growing the workforce from 3,000 to over 100,000. It includes 102 measures across three strategic axes: visibility and growth, competitiveness and innovation, and environmental, social, and territorial sustainability. By enhancing inclusion, job creation, and ecological transition, Murcia aims to position its model as a replicable example of cooperative, resilient economic development across Europe.
Special mention: Region of Peloponnese
The Peloponnese Trails initiative by Greece’s Region of Peloponnese is a transformative strategy to revitalise rural areas through sustainable tourism and social economy integration. Inspired by the Menalon Trail, it established a 2,000 km certified hiking network co-managed by 22 social economy entities, promoting inclusive employment and ecological stewardship. Key achievements include 12 certified trails, over 150 jobs created, and innovative projects in digital mapping and biodiversity education. Through participatory planning and cross-sector collaboration, the initiative links heritage with local economies, positioning the region as a model for socially just and green development.
Category: Housing
With housing crises impacting more and more countries, the EU has prioritised housing with the introduction of a dedicated Commissioner and an Affordable Housing Plan supported by a new dedicated Parliamentary committee. Intersecting multiple sectors and levels of society, the social economy offers unique solutions to help cap housing costs and improve livelihoods with connecting inhabitants together.
The Housing category recognise social economy initiatives that provide solutions to the housing crisis in Europe by offering affordable housing solutions such as social housing, cooperative houses, and community land trust models.
Winner: Sostre Cívic
Sostre Cívic is a non-profit cooperative founded in Catalonia in 2004 to tackle the region’s housing crisis by offering a sustainable, community-based alternative to the speculative real estate market. Managing over 550 homes, it ensures secure, affordable, and eco-friendly housing through a model where residents are cooperative members. The organisation champions inclusive access, participatory self-management, and ecological building standards, while influencing housing policy and collaborating with ethical enterprises. Through advocacy and education, Sostre Cívic is driving a shift towards cooperative, inclusive, and sustainable living in Catalonia.
Second place: Community Land Trust Brussels
CLT Brussels, founded in 2012 by citizens and social organisations, is mainland Europe’s first Community Land Trust, offering a transformative response to the city’s housing crisis. It enables low-income families to own homes while keeping land in community ownership, ensuring long-term affordability and housing security. With over 500 residents and more projects underway, CLTB fosters inclusive governance and community-led initiatives that build social cohesion. As a member of the European CLT Network and co-leader of EU innovation projects, it exemplifies the social economy’s values of solidarity, sustainability, and democratic participation.
Third place: Wohnungs-genossenschaft Am Beutelweg (WOGEBE)
WOGEBE (Wohnungsgenossenschaft Am Beutelweg eG) is a housing cooperative in Trier, Germany, founded over 30 years ago to improve living conditions for disadvantaged residents in the Trier-Nord area. Through cooperative principles of self-help, self-administration, and democratic governance, it not only provided better housing but also involved residents in redevelopment and supported their return to employment. The transformation of the once-deprived Thyrsusstraße neighbourhood into an attractive, inclusive area stands as a testament to decades of collective effort without gentrification.
Special mention: Just a Change
Just a Change is a Portuguese initiative founded in 2010 to combat hidden housing poverty affecting over 6% of the population. Originating as a student movement, it rehabilitates homes and institutions through inclusive partnerships with municipalities, companies, NGOs, and volunteers. With over 530 homes renovated and 200 institutions supported, the organisation has mobilised more than 12,000 volunteers. It promotes intergenerational solidarity, sustainable renovation, and community engagement, while also running awareness campaigns and monitoring social impact. Recognised nationally, Just a Change aims to scale its model across Portugal and beyond, redefining housing as a driver of social transformation.
Category: Clean Energy
With energy becoming a top EU priority to reduce dependence on Russian energy, the social economy helps accelerate the green transition and helps to ensure secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.
The Clean Energy category aims to award initiatives that provide solutions to the energy crisis in Europe by offering clean energy solutions run by social economy energy producers and energy suppliers.
Winner: Assocation des Centrales Villageoises
The Association des Centrales Villageoises in Rhône-Alpes, France, empowers citizens and municipalities to co-develop renewable energy projects that respect local heritage and retain economic value within communities. It promotes collective self-consumption, local energy sharing, and reinvests profits into regional development. With diverse projects—from solar carports to electric mobility—the initiative fosters community engagement, education, and inclusive governance. Celebrated by locals, each solar installation becomes a symbol of shared achievement, demonstrating how citizen-led energy transition can unify and strengthen territorial resilience.
Second place: Robin Powerhood
Robin Powerhood, founded in Austria in 2022, is the country’s first eco-social energy community, created to combat rising energy poverty by redistributing surplus solar energy from private donors to vulnerable households. Since its launch, it has delivered over 70,000 kWh of clean energy to more than 200 families, including single parents, refugees, and low-income groups, through partnerships with social organisations. Legally recognised as a charitable organisation, Robin Powerhood is expanding nationally with support from major partners like Lidl Austria and the Austrian Red Cross and is being showcased as a model for socially just energy transitions across Europe.
Third place: brupower
Brupower is Brussels’ first citizen energy cooperative, created to accelerate the region’s energy transition and make solar energy accessible to all. Rooted in democratic values, it empowers residents to collectively produce and share clean energy, especially through rooftop solar installations. With 27.4% of households affected by energy poverty and 60% renting, Brupower focuses on inclusion, energy sharing, and community ownership. It has raised €700,000 in citizen equity, installed over 300 kWp of solar capacity, and launched Brussels’ first solar neighbourhood on social housing. With 500+ members and 60+ community events, Brupower is driving a just, local, and inclusive energy movement.
Category: Social Integration Innovation in a Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE)
This category, whose awarding is realised with the support of ENSIE, the European Network of Social Integration Enterprises, aims at awarding innovative practices promoted by Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) in fostering social inclusion and integrating vulnerable individuals into the labour market. Aligned with ENSIE’s mission, it highlights WISEs’ role in providing employment, skills, and tailored support to those facing barriers such as long-term unemployment or disabilities.
Winner: Taller Auria
Taller Àuria, launched in Catalonia in 2008 by Àuria Group, is an inclusive perfume and cosmetics initiative that creates qualified, sustainable jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and other vulnerable groups. It integrates workers into the full production cycle – from R&D to packaging – within a competitive, socially driven business model. With over 70% of its 500+ employees facing employment barriers, the cooperative produces up to 15 million perfume units annually. Taller Àuria champions inclusive innovation, tailored training, sustainability, and international collaboration, standing as a benchmark for Work Integration Social Enterprises and proving that industrial excellence can go hand in hand with social impact.
Second place: Formacio i Treball, Empresa d'Insercio
Formació i Treball, Empresa d’Inserció (FITEI) is Spain’s largest Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE), created by the Formació i Treball Foundation to support individuals facing social exclusion. Operating as a non-profit, FITEI reinvests all profits into empowering vulnerable people through employment in socially and environmentally impactful sectors. It manages over 27 activities – including textile recycling, food services, and second-hand retail – processing 8,600+ tonnes of textile waste and creating 782 insertion contracts in 2024 alone. With tailored training and job placement support, 64% of participants transition into regular employment, making FITEI a national leader in inclusive, sustainable economic development.
Third place: Triest Press
Triest Press, founded in 1987 in Roscommon, Ireland by the Brothers of Charity Services, is a multi-award-winning enterprise providing inclusive employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Originally a small training initiative, it became a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2009, expanding its services and professionalising operations. Today, it offers high-quality digital print and design services while promoting sustainability and preserving traditional techniques. With over 70 individuals supported through employment and training, Triest Press demonstrates how ethical business can empower people, foster independence, and challenge societal perceptions of disability.
Congratulations to all the finalists and thank you for your inspiring initiatives!
About SEE’s Social Economy European Summit
The Social Economy Awards gala ceremony was one event out of several making up the high-level Social Economy European Summit, which took place in Murcia, Spain during Social Economy Week (16-18 September 2025) and brought together stakeholders and actors from across the European social economy ecosystem.
Along with our co-organisers and sponsors, SEE was delighted to host a meeting of the European Parliament Social Economy and Services of General Interest Intergroup, as well as our Conference: Implementing the Social Economy Action Plan. The summit concluded with meetings between social economy networks and a research and innovation discussion. For more information on the summit and to read recaps from the events, visit our Summit web page.
