The goal of this project was to revitalise the European social economy sector & provide support for organisations beyond the startup phase. We did this through the creation of a training programme (PR1), produced an impact report & study of ongoing training needs (PR2) & launched a Europe wide hub of information & resources relevant to the sector (PR3). More specifically, the project set out 5 key objectives: 1. Support LESE organisations to review & update their social mission to be more impactful & adapt their business models to be more effective. 2. Ensure that LESE organisations are ready to adapt to a greener and more digital business ecosystem & lead the way in driving a sustainable economic model that works for people & the planet. 3. Increase the visibility & understanding of the social economy in Europe & its socio-economic contribution by establishing a LESE EU network & information hub. 4. Research & present how various education stakeholders serving the European social economy can use our model & better support the ongoing needs of LESE organisations through education and training & provide a model for replication. 5. Build the capacity of partner organisations & stakeholders to support social economy members.
The partnership applied for this project to address a clear need that each of us recognised was missing in our respective countries, and indeed the EU. While there are substantial supports for setting up a social enterprise, and assistance in those early years, there was little support existing for social enterprises and social economy organisations that had been in existence for 5-7 + years. Little is available in terms of ongoing training and supports, or in helping organisations to scale up or modernise (European Commission, A map of social enterprises and their eco-systems in Europe, 2015). Often, it is these Long-Established Social Economy (LESE) organisations that require support to reinvigorate themselves and review their social mission and business model to ensure they can continue to be a successful business. Therefore, the project consortium set about creating a training package aimed specifically at LESE organisations that would assist them in breathing life back into their businesses, reviewing and updating their social mission and their existing business model.