Social Firms Europe CEFEC

04/02/2026

From 28-30 January 2026, we participated in the E-LOCUM Final Event in Brussels, where young people from across Europe came together to challenge stereotypes and reframe the conversation on migration. 💬

This final gathering brought together a delegation of engaged youth, youth workers, and organisations to present the outcomes of months of collaboration, dialogue, and learning across borders. At the centre of the event were the Youth Compacts on Migration - powerful, youth-led policy recommendations rooted in real experiences and inclusive values.

🏛️ Beyond the final conference, the programme offered inspiring encounters, including visits to the European Parliament’s Parlamentarium, the Migration Museum, and meetings with local organisations working on youth, inclusion, and social change.

✨ These days in Brussels reminded us that young people are not only part of the conversation - they are actively shaping more just and inclusive futures for Europe.🇪🇺

02/02/2026

🌱 BECOME A GREEN LEADER! 🌍

Are you a young person passionate about sustainability, green economy, and social impact? 💡
This is your chance to turn ideas into action!

👉 GREEN LEADERS – Pilot Training for Young Green Social Entrepreneurs is a FREE online training co-funded by the European Union, designed to support young people (16–35) in developing practical skills for green and social entrepreneurship.

✨ What’s in it for you?
✔️ Practical tools and insights for green entrepreneurship
✔️ Interactive online sessions with experts
✔️ Opportunities to connect with peers across Europe
✔️ Access to a European network of sustainability leaders
✔️ Develop your own green project idea using the Canvas Model

📅 When?
3 online meetings (1.5h each) between February – March 2026

🌍 Special opportunity!
The most motivated participants with strong project ideas may be selected to join the Green Leaders Academy in Bled, Slovenia (June 2026) 🇸🇮✨

📌 Who can apply?
Young people aged 16–35, including those with disabilities or other vulnerabilities.

📝 Register by 6 February 2026
👉 Scan the QR code on the flyer or sign up via the registration link.

Let’s build a greener, more inclusive future together 💚
Green Leaders

29/01/2026

📍 This week, we’re in Brussels - changing the narrative on migration starts with young people !🇧🇪

From 28-30 January, 15 students from 6 European countries are presenting the results of E-LoCUM (Local Compacts of the United Mates of Europe), a project empowering youth to reshape how migration is discussed and addressed in Europe.☺️

26/01/2026

⏳ Last week in Reus, Spain! 🇪🇸✨
Let her in – International Networking Event 2026
📅 22–23 January 2026

We’re excited to share that our network was proudly represented at the Let Her In event in Reus! 💜

🎤 Our SFE CEFEC Development Manager, Vasi Gafiuc (Organizatia Institutul Bucovina) and our 2025–2026 President, Marin Zver (Center Ponovne Uporabe Slovenia) showcased our network and shared our vision for inclusive leadership and collaboration.

🤝 CEFEC members also present:
UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec, Asociatia ACDC Romania, European Development Foundation, VšĮ Žmogiškųjų išteklių stebėsenos ir plėtros biuras, & Ards North Down Womens Centre, , -Woman Alliance Europe (GWAEU) – great to connect and exchange ideas together!

🌍 What made this gathering special?
Two energizing days of connection, learning, and co-creation around inclusive leadership, equality, and sustainable change, featuring interactive workshops on:
✨ Inclusion and diversity in practice
🌱 Sustainability and responsible leadership
💡 Innovation, creativity, and collaboration

Participants joined inspiration zones – spaces to reflect, exchange ideas, and turn shared values into concrete actions.

22/01/2026

📌 Yesterday, EASPD https://easpd.eu/ convened a strategic coordination meeting bringing together around 30 European networks, including SFE CEFEC, as part of a broader coalition of European social actors. Together, we want to keep the focus on the need to invest in strong social funds and long-term social strategies in the next EU budget cycle.
The meeting focused on the presentation and discussion of a joint statement, addressing key priorities such as:
- social spending,
- earmarking,
- enabling conditions,
- the partnership principle and multi-level governance.

The proposals are already at an advanced stage. The discussion aimed to ensure alignment, address any critical elements, and strengthen the shared arguments and perspectives. The second part of the meeting looked ahead to next advocacy steps, including potential signatories, dissemination and coordinated actions to maximise impact.

A strong example of collective European advocacy for inclusive and well-funded social policies.

19/01/2026

📌 Between 28 June-02 July 2025 it took place the 5th edition of the SFE CEFEC Academy event, in Mainz/Germany. With the help of Organizatia Institutul Bucovina and the Green Leaders project we recorded a series of Podcasts with the participants.

📣 So, we continue by sharing with you the recording, with: 📌 Mila Veselinoska from Tetovo, North Macedonia.

🤩 Mila is 19 years old, she had an internship with our CEFEC member CDI Macedonia - ИРЗ Македонија & her motivation for participating in the Academy was 👉

"to acquire sustainability skills and make a positive impact on my community. I would also like to connect with like minded individuals and share ideas on how to reduce pollution and waste."

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

14/01/2026

📌 Final event in Brussels for the E-Locum - Local Compacts of the United Mates of Europe project!

🌍 E-LOCUM FINAL EVENT – BRUSSELS
📍 28–30 January 2026 | Brussels, Belgium

Join the E-LOCUM Final Event, a 3 international youth festival bringing together young people, youth workers and organisations to explore migration, inclusion and social change through dialogue, creativity and shared experiences.

🤩 This final conference marks the conclusion of the project and offers a space to reflect, exchange and imagine more inclusive narratives and policies on migration in Europe — with young people at the heart of the change.

📅 Programme highlights:
• Local youth encounters & networking
• Final conference at La KOP
• Visit to the European Parliament’s Parlamentarium
• Creative workshop “Migrant XYZ” & Migration Museum visit

👉 More details on our website: https://e-locum.eu/final-conference-reframing-migration-youth-voices-for-new-narratives/

Organizatia Institutul Bucovina Social Cooperatives Društvo Humanitas REVES aisbl - European Network of Cities & Regions for the Social Economy Social Firms Europe CEFEC Consorzio Vives

09/01/2026

📌 Between 28 June-02 July 2025 it took place the 5th edition of the SFE CEFEC Academy event, in Mainz/Germany. With the help of Organizatia Institutul Bucovina and the Green Leaders project we recorded a series of Podcasts with the participants.

📣 So, we continue by sharing with you the recording, with: 📌 Emanuel Butnariu from Romania.

🤩 Emanuel is 22 years old & his motivation for participating in the Academy was 👉

"to gain practical skills in green social entrepreneurship, to connect with like-minded professionals, and to contribute to sustainable change".

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

19/12/2025

📌Check out the Social Firms Europe CEFEC Newsletter #38 to find out more about:

✏️ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING IN SLOVENIA (LJUBLJANA/BLED) AND UPDATES ON THE 2026 CONFERENCE
✏️ NETWORKING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
✏️ NEW MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
✏️ LINZ APPEAL
✏️ SFE CEFEC PODCASTS

Available also on our website: https://socialfirmseurope.eu/newsletter-no-38/

19/12/2025

🎉 Social Firms Europe CEFEC wishes you a joyful holiday season filled with rest, warmth, and time with loved ones. May the New Year bring renewed energy, good health, and new opportunities to grow our impact together.

Warmest wishes for the 🎄 holidays and a Happy New Year!