ASETT postpones its II International Forum to 27–29 October 2027

Donostia-San Sebastián, 15 October 2026.

The Board of Directors of ASETT – Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think & Do Tank has agreed to postpone the II ASETT International Forum, originally scheduled to take place on 11–13 November 2026 in Donostia-San Sebastián, to 27–29 October 2027.

The decision comes in response to the organisational and logistical challenges arising from the general strike called for 11 November over access to housing. As the strike coincides with the opening day of the Forum, it could affect travel arrangements,
contracted services, and the participation of invited individuals and institutions.

Given the international scope of the event, ASETT considers it essential to ensure the conditions necessary to deliver the planned reach, quality of content, and level of participation.

Access to affordable and secure housing is, in fact, one of the major challenges that the Forum was set to address, alongside competitiveness, financing, inclusion, health, cooperation, the legal framework, and research and foresight.

Under the title “From Territory to Home: Cooperating to Create Housing Solutions”, the Housing Forum will explore the solutions already being developed by the Social Economy through cooperative models, cooperative housing arrangements based on rights of use, and social housing providers, as well as the conditions needed to scale up their impact.

This approach reflects ASETT’s core mission: to connect knowledge, foresight, and action in order to understand how the Social Economy is already contributing to addressing the major challenges of our time and how its capacity to respond can be strengthened.

The II ASETT International Forum will retain its focus, international outlook, and theme: “The Social Economy Facing the Great Challenges of the Future: From Knowledge to Action.” It will continue to benefit from the collaboration of the OECD and the United Nations Local2030 Coalition, alongside institutions, businesses, Social Economy networks, academia, and civil society.

ASETT regrets any inconvenience caused and expresses its gratitude for the commitment and understanding of the institutions, organisations, speakers, partners, and individuals who have contributed to preparing the event. ASETT’s work continues, connecting experiences, knowledge, and solutions to address major economic and social challenges.

This autumn, we will continue to create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. One of these will take place on 12 November in Donostia-San Sebastián, when we will hold a tribute to José María Arizmendiarrieta, pioneer of Basque cooperativism and the
driving force behind MONDRAGON, after whom ASETT is named. The event will also be available to follow online.

We will soon share further details on how to take part in this tribute and the other planned activities. We remain committed to working together to turn knowledge into action and expand the solutions that the Social Economy is already providing.