The first edition of the ASETT (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank) Forum brought together more than 400 participants to launch our future projects.
Outstanding experiences were shared that will serve as examples as we continue to improve through collective entrepreneurship.
The first ASETT International Forum (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank) turned Donostia into the centre of the debate on the role of the Social Economy in reducing inequalities and promoting social and labour inclusion.
The event brought together more than 400 participants, including local, national and international institutional representatives, private organisations, and more than one hundred international leaders from over 30 countries—including ministers and parliamentarians. Together, they addressed eleven major social challenges and outlined priorities for a more inclusive future driven by business networks. Above all, the Forum brought to Donostia the people behind real social innovation initiatives from places as diverse as India, New York, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Kenya and Japan.
At a time when traditional economic and business models are showing their limitations in addressing today’s social challenges, the Social Economy is emerging as a strong source of viable and sustainable alternatives. The Forum showcased how a people-centred business model can become a driver of progress.
“The Social Economy is a strategic commitment to a present that offers real solutions to social challenges and to a future in which collective goods, sustainability and equity are the true drivers of economic development. We want more Social Economy enterprises because we want a better society. We know this is not an easy challenge, but it is one we must take on,” said Iñigo Albizuri, Director of ASETT.
The Forum exceeded all expectations. Participants responded very positively, as many of the initiatives presented were previously unknown to them and proved highly inspiring.
“We have delivered a positive message: around the world, many remarkable things are being achieved collectively, and they are being done well. Many of these experiences are not only inspiring—they are also replicable. If collective solutions have worked elsewhere, why shouldn’t we be able to implement them ourselves? To support this, we have created three networks: a university and knowledge network, a business network, and an institutional network,” he explained.
The Forum therefore served as a platform to share knowledge across the Social Economy ecosystem and with the wider public.
“This is a two-way journey. There are outstanding experiences that can benefit others, and together we strengthen the Social Economy movement. We are pleased with the outcome, but we must remember that the real work begins now,” he added.
The Forum was created with the ambition of becoming an annual event, and one participant has already described it as “the Davos of the Social Economy.” Its first edition was particularly significant as it took place during the International Year of Cooperatives.
“Beginnings are always challenging, but the overall outcome has been extremely positive. We have received the support of international institutions such as the United Nations, the ILO, the OECD and the European Commission, as well as a growing network of businesses and academic organisations that have already committed to future editions,” he said.
Thinking Better, Doing Better
ASETT (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank), named after José María Arizmendiarrieta, the renowned promoter of social transformation through enterprise, aims to establish itself as a global reference for the study and promotion of the Social Economy, generating practical solutions for social and labour inclusion and the reduction of inequalities.
It is conceived as a pioneering centre designed to promote innovation, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer and collaboration between businesses, universities and public institutions. ASETT aims to generate ideas that can be put into practice. It is not simply a space for reflection, but also a place for dialogue and action.
This public-private initiative is promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy and CEPES (Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy), with the support of the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, the City Council of Donostia/San Sebastián, the Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi, and MONDRAGON Corporation.
Ultimately, ASETT is a space that builds bridges between academia, business and public institutions to foster practical solutions to today’s challenges, with the aim of strengthening Social Economy enterprises and promoting the creation of new initiatives with a social purpose.
