The Strengthening Social Economy Networks for Impact and Resilience (SENIR) project officially launched on 6 May 2026 with a successful virtual kick-off meeting. Financed under the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the project is coordinated by DIESIS Network and will run until end of February 2029.
At a time of significant transformation in European industry and business, SENIR has been designed to respond to this evolving landscape. The project seeks to raise awareness and amplify the impact of the social economy through a systemic approach, going beyond isolated activities to deliver coordinated, long-term change. It aims to strengthen the capacity, visibility, and connectivity of social economy networks across the EU and its macro-regions.
SENIR directly addresses key challenges identified in the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP) and the Council Recommendation on social economy framework conditions, including uneven ecosystem development, fragmented cooperation, and limited access to finance, data, and policy engagement.
To achieve its objectives, the project will implement 16 targeted actions: five in Member States with mature ecosystems, five in countries where ecosystems are less developed, five at the macro-regional level (Mediterranean, Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, Baltic, and Northern Europe), and one EU-wide action engaging social finance actors. Through a combination of capacity building, peer learning, policy input, awareness-raising, and investment mobilisation, SENIR will improve both the resilience and policy relevance of the social economy. All actions will be tailored to territorial needs and monitored through a robust indicator framework for tracking impact at local and EU levels.
Expected results include stronger national and transnational networks, improved policy uptake, enhanced access to tailored finance, and increased visibility of EU tools and opportunities. SENIR contributes directly to the objectives of the ESF+ Work Programme 2025 and reinforces the role of the social economy in building a fair, inclusive, and sustainable Europe. Particular emphasis is placed on long-term sustainability, local ownership, and knowledge transfer to ensure lasting impact beyond the project’s lifetime.
The project is implemented by a strategic consortium of leading European organisations: DIESIS Network (coordinator), Social Economy Europe (SEE), EURICSE, and REVES. This diverse partnership ensures a strong and innovative approach to research, practice, and policymaking.
