In December 2024, our members Prof. Anna Ciepielewska-Kowalik and Dr. Zuzana Polackova secured a grant from the Polish and Slovak Academies of Sciences to undertake a comparative research project on social enterprises (SEs) and the social and solidarity economy (SSE). Spanning 2025–2026, this collaborative project, titled “SSE and SEs in Poland and Slovakia: Common Legacies and Different Trajectories?”, delves into the dynamics shaping the existence and sustainability of SSE/SEs in these post-socialist countries.

Project Focus

The research centers on four critical aspects of SSE/SEs in Poland and Slovakia:

1. Local Contexts: Understanding the regional factors influencing SSE/SE development.
2. Interconnections with Social/Public Innovations: Examining how SSE/SEs drive or adapt to innovative practices.
3. Legal Frameworks: Assessing how legislation impacts the growth and functioning of SSE/SEs.
4. State and Municipal Relationships: Investigating the dynamics between SSE/SEs and public institutions.

Grounded in new institutionalism, the project emphasizes the concept of path dependence to explore how the post-communist legacies of Poland and Slovakia shape the trajectories of their SSE/SE sectors.

Research Activities and Collaboration

This bilateral initiative involves field research and research visits in both countries during 2025 and 2026. These visits aim to collect data on the state of SSE/SEs across the specified focus areas. While the project is exclusively led by researchers from the Polish and Slovak Academies of Sciences, it represents a significant step toward deepening regional cooperation and understanding.

Expected Outcomes and Implications

The project will culminate in a joint publication, targeting peer-reviewed journals in the fields of third-sector research, social entrepreneurship, and public management. By shedding light on the nuanced relationship between state governance and SSE/SEs in Poland and Slovakia, the research aims to fill critical gaps in understanding how administrative traditions influence the sector’s evolution.

Poland and Slovakia have introduced regulatory frameworks for SSE/SEs, but these have yet to address how historical governance practices shape the sector’s current landscape. This research will provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, offering a deeper understanding of the drivers and barriers impacting SSE/SEs in Central and Eastern Europe.

Strong Ties to EMES Affinity Group

Prof. Anna Ciepielewska-Kowalik and Dr. Zuzana Polackova are active members of the EMES Affinity Group on Central and East Europe and SE Field (CEE & SE). This group brings together researchers from across the region, including academics from Poland, Romania, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia. These collaborative meetings foster initiatives like this project, showcasing the power of academic networks to drive meaningful research.

Are you interested in joining an EMES Affinity Group and exploring different areas within the SE field? Join us and learn more about how these groups facilitate collaborations and knowledge exchange.