ASSETS is a collaborative Horizon Europe project driving innovation in the Social Economy (SE) sector. 

Over the next three years, we aim to transform how Social Economy Organizations (SEOs) operate by leveraging cutting-edge technology, improving evaluation tools, and fostering collaboration to support social inclusion, quality jobs, and sustainability. Despite its significant role, SEOs face substantial policy and legal challenges, including funding shortfalls and difficulties in scaling, underscoring the need for thorough investigation.

To tackle these issues, ASSETS employs a 4-step strategy:

1. Understanding the Challenges: through cross-regional research and case studies, we explore the policy, legal, and operational barriers that SEOs face. This helps us identify opportunities for improving social inclusion and job quality in diverse contexts.
2. Enhancing Tools for Evaluation: we are creating advanced evaluation tools that integrate local perspectives and technology. These tools will allow SEOs to measure their social impact effectively, with a focus on community needs and employee well-being.
3. Piloting Case Studies: ASSETS is piloting innovative solutions in six Living Labs, addressing challenges such as housing, rural marginalization, community care, and environmental sustainability.
4. Building a Digital Platform: our cooperative digital platform will connect stakeholders, providing tools for collaboration, policy debate, and skill-building, ensuring long-term sustainability and inclusion.

The EMI is leading WP6 on Impact Creation.

This WP focuses on maximizing the project’s impact through communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement strategies. It develops policy recommendations for supporting the SE sector, organizes outreach activities, and fosters collaboration with EU networks.

Partners

The ASSETS consortium brings together 15 partner institutions from 9 countries, combining expertise from universities, research organizations, civil society groups, and social enterprises.

1. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
2. European Movement International (Belgium)
3. Roskilde University (Denmark)
4. University of Cologne (Germany)
5. Free University of Bolzano-Bolzen (Italy)
6. The İzmir Institute of Technology (Türkiye)
7. National Distance Education University (UNED, Spain)
8. Ethos Legal Solutions (Bulgaria)
9. AINIGMA (Belgium)
10. Artemis Research & Innovation (Romania)
11. Research Organisation for the Commons and Peer-to-Peer Practices (Greece)
12. Huset Venture (Denmark)
13. Sole Soc Cooperativa Sociale (Italy)
14. Doğa Derneği (Turkey)
15. Fundación Entretantos (Spain)

Beyond the formal consortium, the ASSETS project thrives thanks to the contributions of Social Network Lausitz which brings critical insights, capabilities, and local knowledge into our work.

Donor

ASSETS project is funded by the European Union under the Grant Agreement n° 101177874.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.