Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Programme 2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-12-13

Description

Description (EN):

SOCENT SPAs will foster interregional cooperation among six public/private entities of Finland, Germany, Slovakia and Spain in a view to improve the effectiveness of regional policies in actively supporting the visibility, incubation and acceleration of social entrepreneurs in sparsely populated areas (SPAs) as a driver to regional competitiveness and inclusive growth. In SPAs, demographic trends are a particular challenge. As counter-measure, social innovation needs to be developed to promote employment and competitiveness as it can make a real difference as a source of innovative approaches for resolving societal challenges through mobilizing civil society to further inclusive socioeconomic development. Social Enterprises (SEs) directly benefit local development and correct major socioeconomic imbalances while benefiting local communities, a crucial asset to secure the population in SPAs. However, bespoke support for SEs is limited; policymakers can play a significant role by setting up the right legal framework. Thus, to influence policies in a view to enhance SEs’ visibility and competitiveness whilst taking into account SPAs’ conditions, interregional exchange of knowledge and successful experiences/good practices will be fundamental. With an integrated approach, a comprehensive learning process based on identification, analysis and transfer will be implemented through workshops, site visits and meetings with stakeholders. Based on the learning acquired, action plans aiming at integrating SEs in SPAs support schemes into policies will be developed. Communication will play a crucial role in supporting the action. The main outputs will be a best practices guide for SEs in SPAs and 4 implemented action plans. The main results will be policymakers' awareness raised on SEs as a driver to inclusive growth and their capacities increased in identifying SEs’ needs and addressing these adequately in their policies to create an enabling legal environment for SEs.

Achievements (EN): In terms of activities, the project has organised a total of 59 policy learning events. It has also identified 10 good practices, produced 4 action plans and led to the increased capacity of 45 people.

Website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/interreg-europe-2014-2020

Expected Results (EN):

SOCENT SPAs will contribute to increase the regions competitiveness through social entrepreneurship in SPAs. More specifically, the action will foster interregional cooperation among six public and private non-profit entities of Finland, Germany, Slovakia and Spain in a view to improve the effectiveness of their respective regional policies in actively supporting the visibility, incubation and acceleration of social entrepreneurs in SPAs as a driver to regional competitiveness and inclusive growth. A strong social economy is fundamental to tackle major challenges faced today by European societies; however, SEs face barriers impeding them to implement satisfying solutions to social challenges. Governments are uniquely positioned to play a significant role in influencing the potential for SEs’ success by using their regulatory/legal powers to set up the right framework for SEs across sectors/geographical areas. For policymakers to have a solid understanding of the ‘state of the nation’ in terms of social innovation within their region, the Action, through its learning process and communication strategy, will raise their awareness i) on the social entrepreneurship framework, enabling them to gain insights into how to create more favorable conditions for SEs; ii) on social innovations organizational outputs and societal outcomes, enabling them to gain insights into social innovation impacts to best target support; iii) on entrepreneurial activities that produce social innovations, enabling them to better understand how social innovation emerges and how well it develops in societies. Through the learning process, the partners will learn what works best in different environments and will be able to design/implement adequate action plans aiming at integrating the lessons learnt into their policy instrument. Thanks to interregional cooperation, awareness raising and proposed appropriate instruments, the Action will engage policymakers to improve the policies.

Expected Outputs (EN):

SOCENT SPAs’ main expected results among the target sparsely populated areas of Finland, Germany, Slovakia and Spain are the following: - Enhanced the interregional cooperation and synergies among regional public and private non-profit bodies of the social economy of the target regions on the promotion and support of social entrepreneurship in sparsely populated regions. - Raised awareness among public/regional authorities and key stakeholders on social entrepreneurship as an integral part of the SMEs eco-system and a driving force to influence the competitiveness of the regions and to ensure inclusive growth, social cohesion, and equal opportunities . - Enhanced the target policy markers’ capacities in assessing the specific needs of social entrepreneurs in SPAs and appropriately address them . - Improved the target policy instrument strategic focus in a view to support the visibility, incubation and acceleration of social entrepreneurs in SPAs. - Improved understanding of the social entrepreneurship concept in the sector of services thanks to interregional cooperation - Identified and removed the barriers for social entrepreneurship support in the target SPAs. - Enhanced knowledge on creating running effective support mechanism for service oriented social entrepreneurship start-ups in SPAs from other regions’ experience. - Best practices of service oriented social entrepreneurship identified through interregional cooperation and implemented through specific action plans in the target regions. - Improved support infrastructures (counselling, coaching) for social entrepreneurs in SPAs. - Established support mechanisms and a favorable environment for social entrepreneurship start-ups . - Created an ecosystem of service oriented social entrepreneurs in SPAs of target regions through international linkages . The main outputs: - 1 study assessing the legal framework and status of social entrepreneurship in each target sparsely populated area and on opportunities that social enterprises can offer to generate inclusive growth. - 52 policy learning event organized . - 1 brochure compiling best good practices to promote and support social entrepreneurship in sparsely populated areas of Finland, Germany, Slovakia, and Spain. - 1 joint guideline on innovative strategies favoring the emergence of social partnership. - 1 task group on social economy established at regional level . - 4 action plans implemented in the target participating regions for the introduction of a comprehensive social entrepreneur support scheme in sparsely populated areas. - 1 high-level final conference for the dissemination of the project results . - 4 policy instruments from specific regions of Finland, Germany, Slovakia, and Spain modified to better support social entrepreneurs in sparsely populated areas.

Thematic information

Rural and peripheral development SME and entrepreneurship

Specific Objective: Improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes, in particular programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs and, where relevant, ETC programmes, supporting SMEs in all stages of their life cycle to develop and achieve growth and engage in innovation

Thematic Objective: (03) enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs by:

Investment Priority: (03d) supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional, national and international markets, and to engage in innovation processes

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Dirección General de Economía Social y Autónomos - Junta de Castilla y León

Address: Calle Jacinto Benavente, 2, 47195 Arroyo de la Encomienda - Valladolid, Spain

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.jcyl.es

Total budget: EUR 232 422.00

ERDF budget: EUR 197 558.70

Ministerstvo práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny Slovenskej republiky

Name: Ministerstvo práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny Slovenskej republiky

Department: Department of Labour

Address: Špitálska 4 - 8, 816 43 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.employment.gov.sk

Total budget: EUR 46 960.00

ERDF budget: EUR 39 916.00

Nezisková organizácia EPIC

Name: Nezisková organizácia EPIC

Address: Panenska 29, 811 03 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.epic-org.eu

Total budget: EUR 125 730.00

ERDF budget: EUR 94 297.50

ONGD Cives Mundi

Name: ONGD Cives Mundi

Address: Calle Eduardo Saavedra, 38, 42004 Soria, Spain

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.civesmundi.es

Total budget: EUR 154 930.00

ERDF budget: EUR 116 197.50

Lapin Ammattikorkeakoulu oy

Name: Lapin Ammattikorkeakoulu oy

Address: Jokiväylä 11, 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.lapinamk.fi

Total budget: EUR 185 645.00

ERDF budget: EUR 157 798.25

Social Impact gGmbH

Name: Social Impact gGmbH

Department: Social Impact Lab Leipzig

Address: Schiffbauergasse 7, 14467 Potsdam, Germany

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.socialimpact.eu

Total budget: EUR 197 209.00

ERDF budget: EUR 147 906.75

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic

Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Partners and Projects info

Not-for-profit organization EPIC

Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Partners and Projects info

NGOD Cives Mundi

Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Partners and Projects info

Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu

Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Partners and Projects info

Social Impact

Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Partners and Projects info

General Directorate for Social Economy and Self-Employed Persons - Regional Government of Castile and León

Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Project acronym: SOCENT SPAs

Project start date: 2017-01-01

Project end date: 2021-06-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 942 896.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 753 674.70

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 753 674.70.

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Reports

Report on Workshop on social economy Rožňava, Slovakia

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-04-12

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Activity Report: Interregional site visit to GEMER region, 24 – 26 April 2017 Summary of findings and outcomes

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-04-26

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Interregional Thematic Workshop on How to support social entrepreneurship development in SPAs

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-05-08

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

SOCENT SPAs R1.A7.: Good practice seminar, Rovaniemi & Salla, Finland

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-10-24

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan for social enterprise recognition and support in Lapland

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2020-01-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan to promote social entrepreneurship in the region of Brandenburg

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2019-12-22

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan: Social entrepreneurship in sparsely populated areas, Gemer

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan for social entrepreneurship in Castile and Leon

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2020-01-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Studies / surveys

Arjen turvaa Lapissa

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Study / survey

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-12-31

Languages: fi

Attachment file: Download

Study on the situation and the legal framework of social entrepreneurship in Lapland, Finland

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Study / survey

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-03-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Study on the situation and the legal framework of social entrepreneurship in Brandenburg, Germany

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Study / survey

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Study on social entrepreneurship in Castile and Leon

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Study / survey

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Social business in sparsely populated areas – Region Gemer, Slovakia

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Study / survey

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-03-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Brochures / magazines / manuals

Good practice guide

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Brochure / magazine / manual

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Media releases / articles

Cives Mundi lleva este viernes a las Cortes regionales el proyecto SOCENT SPAs

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-06-15

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Valdeavellano, epicentro de la lucha internacional contra la despoblación

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-05-08

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

La empresa social quiere un marco legal que afiance el emprendimiento

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-05-09

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Más de 300 socios europeos del proyecto Socent SPAs hablarán en Valdeavellano de Tera y Soria de emprendimiento social

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2018-05-04

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

El proyecto Interreg arranca en Soria con 1.040.000 euros y con la meta de frenar la despoblación

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-02-09

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Soria lidera proyecto europeo de fomento emprendemiento en zonas despobladas

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-01-12

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

El proyecto sobre despoblación ‘Socent Spas’ se presenta mañana en las Cortes de Castilla y León

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-06-15

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

El proyecto SOCENT SPAs reúne en Soria a sus socios de Laponia, Gemer y Brandeburgo

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-05-09

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

El proyecto Socent SPAs se presenta mañana en un seminario en las Cortes de Castilla y León

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-06-15

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

"SOCENT SPAs", un proyecto para fomentar el emprendimiento social en zonas despobladas

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-01-12

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

El emprendimiento soriano, a examen por las zonas más despobladas de Europa

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-05-10

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

CC. OO. amenaza con movilizaciones si el convenio del Metal sigue bloqueado

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-05-10

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Learning from Brandenburg: Challenging the Status quo through Social Innovation

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-06-08

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

SOCENT SPA Interregional Site Visit – Rovaniemi and Sodankylä, Lapland

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

El proyecto SOCENT SPAs arranca en Soria con el objetivo de frenar la despoblación en cuatro países

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-01-12

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Europa respalda el plan de la Junta para abrir negocios en zonas despobladas

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-02-08

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Agentúra pre rozvoj Gemera

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-05-01

Languages: sk

Attachment file: Download

La Junta y la ONG Cives Mundi liderarán un proyecto INTERREG de emprendimiento social

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2016-10-07

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Nace en Soria el proyecto europeo "Socent SPAs', para unir sinergias ante la baja demografía

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-01-12

Languages: es

Attachment file: Download

Newsletter No5

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Newsletter No4

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Newsletter No3

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Newsletter No2

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Newsletter No1

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Videos / films

Interreg Europe SOCENT SPAs Final Event

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2021-05-11

Languages: es, en

Rimaviny 19/2017 (TV Rimava)

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-05-12

Languages: sk

NOTICIAS 14.00 H. JUEVES 12 DE ENERO

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-01-12

Languages: es

NOTICIAS 14.00. JUEVES 11 DE MAYO

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/socentspas/

Publication date: 2022-05-11

Document date: 2017-05-11

Languages: es

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-10-31

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

258 / 258 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

2 084 / 2 085 (99.95%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme.

The financial data featured in keep.eu for this programme, it's projects and its partners is not exact and should be taken as a reference only.

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Social Entrepreneurship in Sparsely Populated Areas

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer