The role of cooperatives in supporting pathways to peace
Established in memory of Professor Carlo Borzaga, this Doctoral Thesis Award is launched in the context of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. Promoted by EURICSE and The Venice Foundation for Peace Research in collaboration with the EMES International Research Network, the University of Trento, the Committee on Cooperative Research of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA–CCR), and CIRIEC International. The Award recognises outstanding doctoral research that advances understanding of how cooperative models contribute to democratic participation, social inclusion, and resilient communities, while supporting peaceful approaches to social change.
Honouring the legacy of Professor Carlo Borzaga
The Award is dedicated to Professor Carlo Borzaga (1948–2024), an internationally recognised scholar in research on cooperatives, third sector organisations, and the social economy. As a university professor and founder of EURICSE, he played a pivotal role in advancing academic research, contributing to the creation of the EMES International Research Network, and strengthening education in the SE field. His work has had a lasting influence on public policies and welfare systems across Europe and beyond.
Professor Borzaga’s vision combined scientific rigour with a strong commitment to practice. He consistently highlighted the role of cooperatives and social economy organisations as key actors in fostering social cohesion, reducing inequalities, and promoting social justice.
A shared vision and an international initiative
The Carlo Borzaga Doctoral Thesis Award builds on this legacy and on a shared understanding of cooperatives as central actors in building trust, social inclusion, and peaceful social transformation. The Award is promoted by a network of leading academic and research institutions, including EURICSE, the Venice Foundation for Peace Research, the University of Trento, the Committee on Cooperative Research of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA–CCR), the EMES International Research Network, and CIRIEC International.
Aims of the Award
The Carlo Borzaga Doctoral Thesis Award aims to promote doctoral research that deepens understanding of the role of cooperatives and social economy organisations in building inclusive, democratic, and supportive societies.
In particular, the Award encourages innovative, critical, and interdisciplinary research that offers new theoretical and empirical perspectives on the contribution of the social economy to peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
Deadlines and Award Amount
-
Call for applications opens: 31 December 2025
-
Deadline for submission: 30 June 2026
The Award has a total value of €2,500, which may be awarded to one or more doctoral theses. The Selection Committee may decide to divide the amount among several works deemed worthy.
In addition to the financial prize, the winning thesis will be invited to publish an extract in JEOD – Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organisational Diversity, an international peer-reviewed journal published by EURICSE and indexed in Scopus.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to consult the full Call for Proposals, available at the following link:
👉 https://euricse.eu/en/doctoral-thesis-award-in-memory-of-carlo-borzaga/
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates may apply if they:
-
have obtained a PhD from an Italian or foreign university;
-
have written their doctoral thesis in English;
-
have focused their research on the role of cooperatives or social economy organisations in promoting peace, democracy, equality, and solidarity;
-
have defended their thesis between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2026.
