ASETT has announced the recipients of the first edition of its 2026–2027 Research Fellowship Programme, an initiative designed to promote applied research in the Social Economy and contribute to the generation of knowledge with real-world impact.
In this inaugural call, ASETT selected two research projects distinguished by their academic excellence, alignment with the organisation’s strategic priorities and potential to help reduce inequalities.
The programme, which awards two fellowships of €10,000 each, aims to build an international network of early-career researchers capable of producing transferable knowledge that responds to the real challenges facing the Social Economy.
Two Research Projects with International Impact
Belén Catalá (Universitat de València)
Project: Financial Determinants of Scaling Social Economy Organisations
This research examines how factors such as bank financing, public funding and risk management influence the growth and ability of Social Economy organisations—including work integration social enterprises and special employment centres—to scale their social impact.
The project has a strong applied focus and is supported by leading academics in the field of the Social Economy, reinforcing both its academic rigour and its potential for practical application.
Maggie Poulos (Stanford University)
Project: Blue Social Economy in South Africa
This research explores the role of the Social Economy in South Africa’s fishing communities, analysing how women’s collective organisation contributes to the development of more inclusive, sustainable and democratic economic models.
The project is embedded within a high-level international academic network and is supported by globally recognised researchers, strengthening its international reach and impact.
Balancing Academic Excellence and Social Transformation
The selection reflects ASETT’s commitment to combining two key priorities:
- strengthening the financial and strategic sustainability of the Social Economy; and
- advancing models with a high potential for social inclusion and sustainability.
Together, the two projects offer complementary perspectives that reinforce ASETT’s strategic priorities while generating actionable knowledge for organisations, policymakers and other actors across the Social Economy ecosystem.
Building an International Research Community
The fellowship recipients will become active members of ASETT’s international research community. They will present their findings at the 2nd ASETT Forum (11–13 November 2026) and publish their research as part of ASETT’s Working Paper Series.
Thank You to the Research Community
ASETT would like to sincerely thank everyone who submitted applications to this first edition of the programme.
The selection process highlighted both the growing international interest in the Social Economy and the high quality of research currently being undertaken in the field. It also reinforces the importance of continuing to create spaces that connect knowledge, practice and innovation.
Through this initiative, ASETT strengthens its mission to connect knowledge, practice and innovation while fostering an international research community committed to generating practical solutions for a more inclusive and democratic economy.
