Are you tackling real-world challenges through social or community entrepreneurship? Do you want to spark conversation, inspire others, and co-create solutions with fellow changemakers and researchers from around the globe? Then join us this fall in the Netherlands for the Practitioners’ Labs of the 10th EMES International Research Conference on Social Enterprise.
This year’s theme is ‘Scaling Through Communities: The Role of Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises in Boosting Societal Transitions.’ As part of this milestone event, we’re hosting Practitioners’ Labs on 4 November 2025 in Rotterdam. Expect interactive, thought-provoking sessions where real-world experience meets academic insight.
This is your chance to:
- Present your organisation and the challenges you’re navigating
- Connect with practitioners, researchers, and policymakers
- Explore shared questions around scaling impact, working with governments, measuring value, and more
- Help shape the future of social enterprise together
What is a Practitioners’ Lab?
During 90-minute sessions we dive into real-life social enterprise practice. Each lab brings together a handful of practitioners to share their stories (in 5–10 minute presentations), followed by a lively, open discussion with other participants.
There are two ways to join:
- Submit an individual contribution – Tell us about your organization, and what questions you want to explore.
- Join an existing Practitioners’ Lab – Contribute to a themed session hosted by one of our partnering organizations. Labs will be announced soon on the EMES conference website.
All accepted contributors will be featured in the official conference program and on the EMES website.
Deadline is 17 June 2025. Good to know: submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early birds may hear back sooner!
How to submit
- Download the full Call for Practitioners (PDF)
- Write a proposal
- Make sure to include all essential information in the checklist.
- Send your proposal to emes2025conference@uu.nl
Whether you’re a social entrepreneur, community leader, or part of a mission-driven organization, this is your invitation to step into the spotlight. Let’s scale change through communities!
- Follow updates on the conference and sign up for the EMES News Alerts at www.emes.net
- For any questions about this conference, please write to 10emesconf@emes.net
- LinkedIn: emes-international-research-network | rotterdam-school-of-management-erasmus-university | universiteit-utrecht
- Facebook: @EMESnetwork | @RotterdamSchoolofManagementErasmusUniversity | @UtrechtUniversity
- Instagram: @rsmerasmus | @utrechtuniversity
- Event hashtags: #10EMESconf | #ScalingThroughCommunities | #SEBoostingSocietalTransitions
