European Social Economy Regions (ESER) Initiative

The European Social Economy Regions (ESER) initiative, launched by the European Commission in 2018, is a flagship effort to foster collaboration, innovation, and governance in the impact economy across the EU. It serves as a platform to connect regional and local actors, promote the social economy, and align initiatives with the EU’s sustainable development goals.

ESER brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including regional authorities, social enterprises, cooperatives, NGOs, and public institutions, to create synergies in policymaking and practice. By facilitating workshops, networking events, and regional conferences, ESER ensures that impact-driven organizations have the resources and governance tools necessary to scale their efforts. Additionally, ESER supports regional policy development by integrating social economy principles into local strategies, fostering an inclusive and sustainable economic model.

ESER can be considered a best practice as it:

1.    Connects regions across the EU, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and best practices in impact-driven governance
2.    Aligns with EU priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, making it a key driver of sustainable development
3.    Promotes organisation of events and resource sharing, empowers local actors to build capacity, navigate EU funding opportunities, and implement innovative solutions
4.    Enhances the role of the social economy in job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, driving tangible benefits for communities across Europe

The ESER initiative is a strong example of how the EU promotes innovative governance frameworks that blend social impact with economic growth, laying the foundation for a more resilient and equitable European economy.