The observatory for social entrepreneurship.
We research the field, train practitioners, inform policy, and connect a community turning social problems into viable enterprises.
Advocates for ChangeSix ways we build the social economy
One organisation working across the whole pipeline — from evidence, to skills, to the networks that keep social enterprises alive.
Research
Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies: state analyses, needs assessments, and the factors that accelerate or block social enterprises.
Training
Tailored training in entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, executive and project management, and leadership.
Consulting
Guidance from the first idea and business plan to running a social enterprise, including legal, financial and HR questions.
Editing & publishing
Proofreading, editing, peer review and publishing for new work on social entrepreneurship, with promotion to reach readers.
Networking & coordination
Connecting you with the right people, building communication strategies and networking platforms, and coordinating projects.
Event organising
Conferences, trainings, seminars and round tables — scientific, policy or promotional — organised end to end.
Four places to start
The Observatory's work is organised into four areas. Same mission, different entry point depending on what you need.
Monitor What's happening
Tracking the field as it moves — news, the incubator pipeline, and policy developments that affect social enterprises.
- News
- Incubator
- Policies
Clinic Getting you ready
Practical support to build a venture that lasts: capacity building, a structured Training Academy, and ready-to-use tools.
- Capacity building
- Training Academy
- Tools
Laboratory Evidence & ideas
Where the research happens — R&D on social entrepreneurship, papers, columns, and the SE Talks series.
- R&D
- Papers
- Columns
- SE Talks
Academy Learn the practice
Structured courses from a first introduction to a complete programme, for anyone building a social enterprise.
- Introduction to SE
- Business models
- Complete course
Instruments the Observatory has built
Indexes, studies and platforms that turn observation into evidence the field can use.
SE Index
Scores 45 European countries on the conditions they offer social enterprises — the SEI Diamond. Provisional 2026 edition, open data.
seindex.orgSE FACT
Social Entrepreneurship Factors: how strongly the ecosystem shapes the operations of social enterprises and entrepreneurs.
sefact.infoSE Talks
Conversations that bring the social entrepreneurship field closer to new entrepreneurs, innovators and the public.
setalks.orgSE Conference
SECon: the Western Balkans conference of 2022, returning in September 2027 with SENIC and the DIESIS Network.
seconference.senic.worldConferences, webinars and panels
Since 2019: Global Entrepreneurship Week panels and events in Skopje, two seasons of SE Talks, the Western Balkans conference SECon, and talks at symposia and EU events from Istanbul to Brussels.
ISYEC, Istanbul · 2021
GEW · 2021
ISYEC, Istanbul · 2021
GEW, Skopje · 2019
GEW · 2020
EU launch, Brussels · 2022
Recording · 4 May 2022Western Balkans Conference for Social EntrepreneurshipThe challenges of developing a social entrepreneurship ecosystem: speakers from six Western Balkan countries, organised with HASTE and supported by the Swedish Institute. Watch on YouTube · 3 h 37 min
All events and recordings Istanbul photos: Daniel Dluhý / Youth@Work
Evidence, in circulation
Research, policy and conversations with the field.
SECon returns in September 2027
The Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference, SECon 2027, organised by SENIC and the DIESIS Network, will take place in September 2027.
ReadSEI 2026: the provisional edition of the Social Entrepreneurship Index is out
The Social Entrepreneurship Index 2026 scores 45 countries on 40 indicators, with a time series from 2015 to 2024 and an open dataset.
ReadSENIC established in Brussels
SENIC, a new entity in Brussels, becomes the Observatory's international partner for work in the social economy, the social solidarity economy, and sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation.
ReadBuilding something that does good — and does it right?
Whether you're starting a social enterprise, funding one, or researching the field, the Observatory is a place to begin.