About

The latest international advances in the social economy, such as the United Nations resolution on the social economy, the European action plan for the social economy and, most recently, the first EU Council recommendation on the establishment of framework conditions for the social economy, open up a new field of possibilities for the widespread recognition of the social economy and the deployment of its full potential at European and global levels.

The European Social Economy Meeting: The social economy at the core of transitions is a unique opportunity for the social economy to bring together practitioners, scientists, policy-makers and other stakeholders to discuss innovative, resilient and inspiring economic models for a more social and sustainable Europe.

The event includes plenary sessions, workshops and round tables, as well as a Social Economy Village and visits to social economy enterprises

Collaborations

The three Belgian regions - Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels - having the competence of the social economy, have joined forces to present a broad overview and offer participants the best possible experience. The event is being co-constructed with regional administrations, stakeholders and practitioners.

The programme was drawn up in close collaboration with the help of a scientific committee and a committee of Belgian and international experts. Their input has been much appreciated and has resulted in a rich and varied program open to all.

Scientific Committee

  • Sybille Mertens (Chair)

    University of Liège - ULiege

  • Thomas Bauwens

    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

  • Filip de Beule

    Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - KULeuven

  • Saskia Crucke

    University of Gent - UGent

  • Millan Diaz Foncea

    University of Zaragoza

  • Frédéric Dufays

    University of Liège - ULiege & Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - KULeuven

  • Timothée Duverger

    Sciences Po Bordeaux

  • Malin Gawell

    Södertörn University

  • Cécile Godfroid

    University of Mons - UMons

  • David Hiez

    University of Luxembourg

  • Marek Hudon

    Université Libre de Bruxelles - ULB

  • Rocío Nogales

    EMES

  • Anais Périlleux

    Université catholique de Louvain - UCLouvain

  • Barbara Sak

    CIRIEC International

  • Ludo Struyven

    Katholieke Universiteit Leuven- KULeuven

  • Nathalie Vallet

    Universiteit Antwerpen – UAntwerp

  • Stijn Van Puyvelde

    Vrije Universiteit Brussel - VUB

Experts Committee

  • Pieter Geladé & Barbara Sak

    Project leaders and co-hosts

  • Issam Benali

    ABVV-ALGEMENE CENTRALE

  • Chantal Line Carpentier

    UNTFSSE (UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy)

  • Alain Coheur

    EESC (European Economic and Social Committee)

  • Julien De Beys

    EUCOM DG EMPL

  • Stef De Cock

    GROEP MAATWERK

  • Simel Esim

    ILO (International Labour Organisation) – COOP Unit

  • Bruno Gerard

    BRUXEO

  • Wilfried Herpoele

    ACV-BIE

  • Sarah de Heusch

    SEE (Social Economy Europe)

  • Franck Kerckhof

    Ressources asbl

  • Patrick Klein

    EUCOM DG GROW

  • Luigi Martignetti

    REVES Network

  • Mathias Maucher

    Social Services Europe (SSE)

  • Marina Monaco

    ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation)

  • Quentin Mortier

    (SAW-B), Conseil wallon de l'Economie sociale - CWES

  • Gorik Ooms

    HERWIN

  • Mathieu de Poorter

    (UNIPSO), Conseil wallon de l'Economie sociale – CWES

  • Sophie Reginster

    (CSC), Conseil wallon de l'Economie sociale - CWES

  • Ricardo Rio

    CoR (European Committee of the Regions)

  • Benoît Simonet

    (FGTB), Conseil wallon de l'Economie sociale - CWES

  • Marie-Pierre Van Dooren

    Agence du Numérique – ADN (Walloon Digital Agency)

  • OECD Social Economy and Innovation Unit

Fully aware of the potential of the Social Economy and the significant leverage it can exert in favour of the various transitions - inclusive, green and digital -, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union has made the Social Economy one of its priorities. In parallel to this event, it also hosts a Conference of European Ministers in charge of social economy, as well as a meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Luxembourg Declaration.