How can we reverse the cycle of rural decline? How can social economy actors be part of the solution? These were the central questions explored today, 29th of April 2025, during the first policy workshop of the ESIRA project, titled “Breaking the cycle of rural decline”, which was moderated by Alicia Moreno (Euromontana). The event brought together over 90 participants from across Europe to examine the challenges facing rural areas and the role of the social economy in building more inclusive, resilient and prosperous rural communities. HÉTFA is a partner of the project aiming to enhance social inclusion in rural areas, with a focus on people in a vulnerable situation and social economy.
Opening the event, Sonia Marcos (University of Burgos), ESIRA’s project coordinator, gave an overview of the project’s objectives. Kinga Tóth (HÉTFA Research Institute) presented findings on the drivers of rural vulnerability that have been identified in ESIRA’s regions, such as ageing, depopulation, limited access to public and social services. Yet, she also highlighted the existing assets of rural territories, including strong traditions of cooperation and community-based initiatives, which form fertile ground for social economy development. Giulia Galera (EURICSE) then examined how the social economy can address these rural challenges. Social economy actors create and safeguard job opportunities, provide essential services for the community, while also strengthening social cohesion. However, as she noted, to unlock the full potential of the social economy, tailored policies that recognise the added value of the different components of the social economy are still needed In his contribution, Anders Bro (Region Örebro County / REVES) presented the five key building blocks identified by the European Commission as essential for effective support to the social economy: a clear vision with actionable goals, appropriate institutional structures, consultation mechanisms and stakeholder engagement, improved visibility and recognition, and robust monitoring and evaluation. Without these in place, the social economy will continue to face barriers in its implementation.
The event concluded with a policy panel discussion, “The future of social economy in territorial development policies”, featuring Ms. Anastasia Costantini (European Commission’s Directorate-general for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion ) and Mr. Ádám Karácsony (European Committee of the Regions). Ms. Costantini shared updates on the implementation of the Social Economy Action Plan and the upcoming mid-term review process. She underlined that social economy contributes to the competitiveness of the European Union in many ways, as well as to sustainable development and prosperity. Mr. Karácsony reflected on the Committee of the Regions’ ongoing support for the social economy and its role in fostering the “right to stay” in rural areas. He emphasised the need of cooperation between local communities and policymakers, as well as the need of more EU funds that support the implementation of social economy initiatives.
The event concluded with a clear message: social economy is a vital tool for breaking the cycle of rural decline, but it must be better recognised and supported in EU and national policies. In the coming months, ESIRA will organise more workshops, with the aim of creating policy recommendations that support social inclusion and the development of social economy initiatives in rural areas.