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Strategic Analysis
To win this RIA, the consortium must move beyond treating the Social Economy as merely a corrective mechanism for market failure, framing it instead as a structural engine of EU sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity. Proposals must deliver a robust, operational measurement framework bridging SSH, economic theory, and environmental indicators (aligned with the Green Deal and Kunming-Montreal targets), alongside concrete toolkits and policy reform pathways co-designed with traditional businesses, investors, and public administrations. Given the lump-sum funding model, a highly convincing methodology with verifiable work package deliverables and multi-stakeholder governance across diverse EU socio-economic regimes will be decisive.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Explore the potential virtuous relationships between social economy, sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Conduct research (including from SSH disciplines) focusing on a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to the sustainable competitiveness of social economy entities and its possible impact on EU sustainable competitiveness, addressing knowledge gaps such as the lack of a comprehensive framework to measure this contribution. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Undertake a review of existing literature, analysis and develop case studies to identify key enabling factors that make social economy entities competitive in a sustainable way, considering social, economic, and environmental dimensions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Develop a framework to measure the contribution of the social economy as one of the drivers of sustainable competitiveness, including with existing and new indicators and metrics. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Identify best practices, develop a toolkit and policy recommendations on how social economy in Europe can boost public and private competitiveness linked to EU shared prosperity goals (such as well-being and nature preservation). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Consider the regulatory context and its impact on the social economy's ability to contribute to sustainable competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Carry out interdisciplinary research drawing on expertise from different fields (economics, sociology, environmental science, public administration), stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis in line with the EU Green Deal and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Collaborate with stakeholders from the social economy, private sector, and public sector to develop a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between social economy and sustainable competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Social enterprises, traditional firms and investors will benefit from a better understanding of the sustainable competitiveness factors of the social economy in Europe through knowledge development and know-how on innovative products and services, improving quality and productivity, and increasing adaptability, social inclusion and sustainable, environmentally friendly (for example biodiversity-enhancing) practices. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Citizens and traditional private sector will benefit from the increased contribution of the social economy to the EU’s sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity goals. The research will inform policy makers and private sector on best practice, policy and regulatory reforms aimed at enhancing the social economy's contribution to the EU's competitiveness and prosperity goals. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3The social economy's principles for sustainable competitiveness are promoted, through the development of practical and innovative solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Interdisciplinary research integrating SSH, economics, and environmental scienceActivities may involve interdisciplinary research drawing on expertise from different fields such as economics, sociology, environmental science, and public administration. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Collaboration with social economy, private, and public sector stakeholdersCollaboration with stakeholders from the social economy, private sector, and public sector is encouraged to build an understanding of the relationships between social economy and sustainable competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Engagement with broader societal actors and social partnersDestination calls for engaging with a vast array of stakeholders beyond academia, including social partners (trade unions and business organizations), civil society organizations, practitioners, VET providers, and SMEs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4FAIR data complianceParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this research is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable (FAIR). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Leveraging EOSC, Data Spaces, and European Research InfrastructuresApplicants are encouraged to leverage data and services available through European Research Infrastructures, particularly in the SSH domain (such as CESSDA), federated under EOSC, and relevant Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Synergies with European Partnership on Social Transformations and ResilienceThe destination highlights alignment and activities relating to the European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience focusing on SSH. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Encouraged international cooperationTo maximise the impacts of R&I under this Destination in line with EU priorities, international cooperation is encouraged whenever relevant. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3The European Pillar of Social Rights, and its Action Plan with its three ambitious targets (78% employment rate, 60% of population with yearly training, and reduction of the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4the European Education Area and its EU-level 2030 targets | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5The Union of Skills (including envisaged initiatives on skills portability and the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, the Pact for Skills and the Skills Agenda) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including: the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities); the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI9EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI10The Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI11The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI12The Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI13The EU’s just transition policy framework, in line with the 2040 Climate Target Plan, including the Just Transition Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund, and the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI14The new Pact for European Social Dialogue and the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI15The European Child Guarantee | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI16The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI17The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI18The new Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and legislation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european pillar of social rights and action planThe European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 principles and rights essential for fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The 2021 Action Plan turns these principles into concrete targets for 2030, focusing on employment, skills, and poverty reduction. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2pact for skillsLaunched under the European Skills Agenda, the Pact for Skills is a shared engagement model bringing together companies, social partners, education providers, and public authorities to upskill and reskill people in working age. It establishes large-scale European partnerships across critical industrial and social ecosystems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3european skills agendaThe European Skills Agenda is a 5-year plan to strengthen sustainable competitiveness, ensure social fairness, and build resilience through 12 overarching actions. It prioritizes digital and green transition skills, lifelong learning, and unlocking private/public investment in human capital. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4eu anti-poverty strategyEU anti-poverty policies and targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan aim to lift at least 15 million people out of poverty or social exclusion by 2030. They promote comprehensive measures covering social safety nets, integrated active inclusion, and equal access to essential services. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5council recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutralityAdopted in 2022, this Recommendation provides member states with guidance to design comprehensive policy packages that address the employment and social impacts of the green transition, focusing on job creation, upskilling, and targeted social protection. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6council recommendation on adequate minimum incomeAdopted in 2023, this Recommendation provides guidance to member states on modernizing minimum income schemes to combat poverty and social exclusion while promoting effective labor market integration for those who can work. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Because this is a lump-sum RIA, evaluators will rigorously scrutinize your work package definitions, milestones, and resource allocation for feasibility. You must deliver a highly convincing, verifiable deliverable strategy while strictly adhering to the 45-page limit, meaning every methodological detail must directly justify the payment cadence without wasting space.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
A proposal that keeps its analysis within an academic or social-economy silo will be penalized. Evaluators explicitly require a Bridge to the Traditional Economy, meaning your consortium or stakeholder boards must actively engage conventional businesses and mainstream investors to transfer social economy know-how and co-design practical toolkits.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
While you must develop a robust measurement framework bridging SSH, economic, and environmental indicators, evaluators will heavily penalize overly complex models. Your proposed metrics must practically capture multidimensional impacts without imposing administrative gridlock on the social enterprises implementing them.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
To score well on policy actionability, your regulatory analysis and concrete policy reform pathways cannot be generic. They must be explicitly tailored to align with the European Pillar of Social Rights and the EU Just Transition Mechanism, demonstrating how the social economy acts as a structural engine for these specific agendas.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
The call explicitly mandates that projects contribute to all three expected outcomes. Failing to address even one—such as neglecting the promotion of practical solutions or failing to demonstrate benefits for traditional firms—will render the proposal fundamentally misaligned with the scope and lead to severe scoring penalties.
Source: Scope / Expected Outcomes
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
In addition, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators under Cluster 2 will prioritize proposals demonstrating rigorous interdisciplinarity (SSH, economics, environmental sciences) that explicitly challenge classical competitiveness paradigms. They will scrutinize:
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
Explore the potential virtuous relationships between social economy, sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity.
Conduct research (including from SSH disciplines) focusing on a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to the sustainable competitiveness of social economy entities and its possible impact on EU sustainable competitiveness, addressing knowledge gaps such as the lack of a comprehensive framework to measure this contribution.
Undertake a review of existing literature, analysis and develop case studies to identify key enabling factors that make social economy entities competitive in a sustainable way, considering social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Develop a framework to measure the contribution of the social economy as one of the drivers of sustainable competitiveness, including with existing and new indicators and metrics.
Identify best practices, develop a toolkit and policy recommendations on how social economy in Europe can boost public and private competitiveness linked to EU shared prosperity goals (such as well-being and nature preservation).
Consider the regulatory context and its impact on the social economy's ability to contribute to sustainable competitiveness.
Carry out interdisciplinary research drawing on expertise from different fields (economics, sociology, environmental science, public administration), stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis in line with the EU Green Deal and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Collaborate with stakeholders from the social economy, private sector, and public sector to develop a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between social economy and sustainable competitiveness.
Social enterprises, traditional firms and investors will benefit from a better understanding of the sustainable competitiveness factors of the social economy in Europe through knowledge development and know-how on innovative products and services, improving quality and productivity, and increasing adaptability, social inclusion and sustainable, environmentally friendly (for example biodiversity-enhancing) practices.
Citizens and traditional private sector will benefit from the increased contribution of the social economy to the EU’s sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity goals. The research will inform policy makers and private sector on best practice, policy and regulatory reforms aimed at enhancing the social economy's contribution to the EU's competitiveness and prosperity goals.
The social economy's principles for sustainable competitiveness are promoted, through the development of practical and innovative solutions.
Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability
Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively
The European Pillar of Social Rights, and its Action Plan with its three ambitious targets (78% employment rate, 60% of population with yearly training, and reduction of the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030)
the European Education Area and its EU-level 2030 targets
The Union of Skills (including envisaged initiatives on skills portability and the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, the Pact for Skills and the Skills Agenda)
the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan
The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including: the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities); the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card
The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence
EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025
The Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030
The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
The Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action
The EU’s just transition policy framework, in line with the 2040 Climate Target Plan, including the Just Transition Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund, and the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality
The new Pact for European Social Dialogue and the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU.
The European Child Guarantee
The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income
The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health
The new Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and legislation.
European Pillar of Social Rights and Action Plan
highThe European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 principles and rights essential for fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The 2021 Action Plan turns these principles into concrete targets for 2030, focusing on employment, skills, and poverty reduction.
Evaluators expect proposals to explicitly show how social economy business models operationalize social rights, foster inclusive job creation, and directly contribute to the EU 2030 social and employment headline targets.
Pact for Skills
highLaunched under the European Skills Agenda, the Pact for Skills is a shared engagement model bringing together companies, social partners, education providers, and public authorities to upskill and reskill people in working age. It establishes large-scale European partnerships across critical industrial and social ecosystems.
Evaluators look for alignment with the Social Economy and Proximity Skills Partnership, demonstrating how proposed models support collective capacity building and skills ecosystems within social enterprises.
European Skills Agenda
highThe European Skills Agenda is a 5-year plan to strengthen sustainable competitiveness, ensure social fairness, and build resilience through 12 overarching actions. It prioritizes digital and green transition skills, lifelong learning, and unlocking private/public investment in human capital.
Evaluators look for clear methodologies showing how social economy organizations contribute to skills governance, employee empowerment, and capacity development beyond traditional market mechanisms.
EU Anti-Poverty Strategy
highEU anti-poverty policies and targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan aim to lift at least 15 million people out of poverty or social exclusion by 2030. They promote comprehensive measures covering social safety nets, integrated active inclusion, and equal access to essential services.
Evaluators expect proposals to directly tackle systemic drivers of poverty, evaluating social protection systems and designing scalable social interventions that support vulnerable populations.
Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality
highAdopted in 2022, this Recommendation provides member states with guidance to design comprehensive policy packages that address the employment and social impacts of the green transition, focusing on job creation, upskilling, and targeted social protection.
Evaluators expect proposals to position social economy models as drivers of a just transition, analyzing how they mitigate regional socio-economic impacts and prevent energy or transport poverty.
Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income
highAdopted in 2023, this Recommendation provides guidance to member states on modernizing minimum income schemes to combat poverty and social exclusion while promoting effective labor market integration for those who can work.
Evaluators expect proposals to explore how work integration social enterprises (WISEs) bridge social assistance and open labor markets, providing transitional support and sustainable pathways out of poverty.
European Green Deal
mediumThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being.
Evaluators will look for proposals that demonstrate how the project contributes to sustainable food production, reduces environmental footprints, and promotes equitable access to healthy diets, particularly in vulnerable groups.
European Education Area
mediumThe European Education Area aims to foster quality, inclusive education and lifelong learning across member states by removing learning mobility barriers and modernising educational frameworks. It focuses on digital and green skills, educator competencies, and educational equity.
Evaluators expect evidence of how research activities and outcomes connect to educational and training ecosystems, supporting inclusive upskilling and the reduction of educational inequalities across socio-demographic groups.
Union of Skills
mediumThe Union of Skills is an overarching EU initiative focusing on continuous learning, foundational literacy, and STEM education across Europe. It aims to equip youth and adults with the competencies required for the modern economy, social inclusion, and digital transformation.
Evaluators expect proposals to propose concrete interventions that foster core foundational skills (maths, reading, science) and align educational pathways with broader European competence development goals.
European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training
mediumThis strategy promotes modern, agile, and high-quality vocational education and training (VET) systems across the EU. It aims to support youth and adults in acquiring skills required for the twin green and digital transitions while ensuring social inclusion.
Evaluators expect proposals to explore how social economy entities act as learning spaces and pathways for VET, facilitating work-based learning and upskilling for vulnerable or non-traditional learners.
European Affordable Housing Plan
mediumThe European Affordable Housing Plan addresses the housing affordability crisis across Europe by supporting investment, social housing development, and regulatory reforms. It targets energy efficiency, homelessness prevention, and affordable living conditions for vulnerable and middle-income households.
Evaluators look for structural analyses of housing markets, energy poverty links, and innovative policy recommendations that integrate affordable housing models with broader social resilience mechanisms.
Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
mediumThe Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 aims to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. It focuses on accessibility, independent living, non-discrimination, and equal access to democratic processes, employment, and education.
Evaluators look for explicit methodologies ensuring that democratic innovations, digital participation tools, and civic engagement platforms are fully accessible. Proposals should address barriers to political participation (such as voting accessibility) faced by persons with disabilities.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
mediumThe UNCRPD is an international human rights treaty designed to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. It obligates state parties to ensure non-discrimination, reasonable accommodation, accessibility, and equal opportunities in employment and social life.
Evaluators expect proposals that involve inclusive work integration to respect rights-based social models rather than paternalistic frameworks, demonstrating full accessibility and participation.
Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025
mediumThe Gender Equality Strategy outlines objectives and key actions to achieve a gender-equal Europe, tackling gender-based violence, pay and pension gaps, and barriers to women's leadership. It promotes systemic gender mainstreaming and intersectionality across all EU policy domains.
Evaluators look for clear gender analyses of leadership, governance, and wage structures within the social economy, demonstrating how social enterprise models can close gender disparities.
EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025
mediumThis action plan steps up action against racism and discrimination in the EU through mainstreaming equality, enhancing law enforcement responses, and addressing structural barriers in employment, education, housing, and healthcare.
Evaluators expect explicit attention to intersectional inclusion, analyzing how the social economy provides anti-discriminatory employment and overcomes labor market segregation for racial and ethnic minorities.
Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action
mediumThis Commission Communication provides policy tools to address Europe's aging population, shrinking workforce, and territorial demographic disparities. It emphasizes empowering parents, supporting younger generations, enabling older people to remain active, and managing managed legal migration.
Evaluators expect proposals to explore how social economy initiatives revitalize depopulated rural regions, provide essential care services, and foster intergenerational solidarity.
Pact for European Social Dialogue
mediumInitiated to reinforce social dialogue at EU and national levels, this pact commits EU institutions and social partners to strengthen bipartite negotiations, collective bargaining, and consultation on economic and social policies.
Evaluators expect proposals to analyze how social economy organizations interact with social partners and participate in collective bargaining and democratic economic governance.
Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU
mediumThis Council Recommendation guides member states on promoting collective bargaining, building social partner capacity, and ensuring effective bipartite and tripartite social dialogue structures in national policy-making.
Evaluators expect proposals to examine governance models of social economy entities, specifically assessing worker participation, cooperative democracy, and social dialogue interfaces.
European Child Guarantee
mediumAdopted in 2021, the European Child Guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing children in need effective and free access to key services such as early childhood education, healthcare, nutrition, and adequate housing.
Evaluators expect proposals to analyze the role of social enterprises and non-profit service providers in delivering community-based, accessible childcare and social support services.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
lowAdopted under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022, this global framework sets 4 global goals and 23 targets for 2030 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It includes key targets on sustainable agriculture, reducing pesticide risks, and integrating biodiversity values across all economic sectors.
Evaluators expect proposals handling agricultural data to demonstrate how data-driven farming practices actively measure, monitor, and support biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration on managed farmlands.
European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882)
lowDirective (EU) 2019/882 establishes harmonized accessibility requirements for key products and services across the internal market, including digital services, banking, e-commerce, and transport. It seeks to remove barriers for persons with disabilities and older people.
Evaluators expect compliance with statutory accessibility requirements and analyses of how social enterprises deliver accessible services and inclusive workplace design.
Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence
lowDirective (EU) 2024/1385 sets binding EU-wide standards to criminalize specific forms of violence against women, prevent domestic violence, ensure victim protection and access to justice, and coordinate specialized support services.
Evaluators expect proposals addressing vulnerable groups to acknowledge the role of supportive social services and safe employment pathways provided by social economy actors for survivors of violence.
Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030
lowThis framework establishes a comprehensive 10-year plan to promote equality, socio-economic inclusion, and political participation for Roma communities across the EU, with quantitative targets for reducing poverty, education gaps, and housing segregation.
Evaluators look for targeted approaches that engage marginalized Roma communities directly, incorporating community co-design and measurable contributions toward overcoming structural discrimination.
LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
lowThe LGBTIQ Equality Strategy sets out targeted actions to tackle discrimination, ensure safety, build inclusive societies, and lead the call for LGBTIQ equality globally. It focuses on labor market inclusion and non-discrimination in employment and social services.
Evaluators expect proposals to address inclusive workplace practices, diversity management, and non-discrimination within social economy enterprises and broader competitive ecosystems.
2040 Climate Target Plan
lowThe 2040 Climate Target Plan sets out the EU's recommended pathway to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, serving as an intermediate stepping stone toward total climate neutrality by 2050.
Evaluators expect proposals to reflect on the industrial transformation required for deep decarbonization and evaluate how social economy enterprises deliver low-carbon business models.
Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health
lowThis 2023 Communication puts mental health on par with physical health, proposing cross-cutting actions across health, education, employment, and social inclusion to foster good mental health, early intervention, and de-stigmatization.
Evaluators expect proposals investigating workplace well-being to demonstrate how non-extractive, participatory social economy workplace models foster positive mental health and resilience.
Pact on Asylum and Migration
lowThe Pact on Asylum and Migration creates a reformed, common European framework for managing migration, border procedures, and fair solidarity mechanisms among member states, alongside integrated policies for third-country national integration.
Evaluators expect proposals touching on migrant integration to showcase how social economy entities provide integration, vocational training, and dignified employment opportunities.
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