March 2025 marks an exciting milestone for EMES Network with the launch of two Horizon Europe projects—EMCCINNO and WISESHIFT—both dedicated to strengthening the role of social enterprises in driving sustainability and systemic change across Europe. What is beautiful about EMES Network is that projects like these emerge through collaboration with our institutional members, Board, and affinity groups composed of individual members.
EMES is proud to contribute to these initiatives as a key partner.
EMCCINNO: Empowering Cultural and Creative Industries for a Sustainable Climate Transition
The EMCCINNO project (EMpowering CCIs to boost systemic INNOvation for sustainable climate transition) is a pioneering initiative that equips Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) with the tools and knowledge needed to innovate and contribute to climate action.
Many small and medium-sized cultural and artistic social enterprises face significant challenges due to limited resources, fragmentation, and climate-related vulnerabilities. However, their close ties to local communities position them as key actors in identifying social and environmental needs while fostering cultural shifts toward sustainability.
Through research, testing, and validation, EMCCINNO will refine sustainable business models tailored to CCIs, especially focusing on cultural and artistic social enterprises (CASEs). The project aims to scale up their impact and contribute meaningfully to the EU’s climate goals.
📍 Kick-off meeting: The EMCCINNO consortium held its inaugural gathering on February 25–26, 2025, in Marseille, hosted by our institutional member Aix-Marseille University (AMU) and La Friche Belle de Mai.
🔗 Project duration: February 2025 – January 2028
🔗 More info here: EMCCINNO Project
WISESHIFT: Strengthening Work Integration Social Enterprises for Inclusive and Sustainable Transitions
WISESHIFT is a transformative project designed to position Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) as key drivers of social and economic transitions. With a focus on repair, reuse, and recycling; agrifood; and community/home care for the elderly, the project will analyze 24 WISEs across Europe and Serbia to identify their role in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
By providing policy recommendations and a multi-level governance framework, WISESHIFT will help WISEs scale their contributions to the EU’s social economy strategy and foster systemic innovation.
📍 Kick-off meeting: The WISESHIFT consortium had its first meeting on March 3–4, 2025.
🔗 Project duration: March 2025 – February 2029
🔗 More info on CORDIS: WISESHIFT Project
Collaboration for Sustainable Transitions
Both projects bring together a diverse consortium of researchers, social enterprises, and experts committed to advancing sustainable transitions and social innovation.
EMES, together with some of its institutional members and researchers involved, is excited to contribute to these initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening social enterprises and social and solidarity economies at the European level.
Stay tuned for more updates as these projects unfold! In the meantime, explore other projects that EMES has been involved in and discover how we contribute to advancing the SE field.