More than a year after its launch, the international consortium takes stock of the results achieved: the first operational tools for labour market inclusion and the mapping of local partnerships have been published.
The CREASSE project (Fostering Rural and Inclusive Social and Solidarity Economy), a strategic initiative co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, is now fully operational. After more than a year of transnational cooperation, the partners have announced the availability of the first key resources aimed at transforming the economic fabric of rural areas through the social economy.
Created to combat the risk of social and labour market exclusion in marginalised areas, CREASSE is not merely a training project, but an incubator for collective ideas that sees the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) as the driving force for systemic and positive change.
Achievements: an ecosystem of resources for the social economy
In this crucial phase of the project, the CREASSE consortium has completed the development of a suite of strategic tools, designed to bridge the gap between the untapped potential of rural areas and the skills required to set up successful collective enterprises.
Mapping of SSE Alliances: this is not merely a list of contacts, but a transnational study that has thoroughly analysed the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) ecosystems in the partner countries. This document identifies regulatory barriers and funding opportunities, offering a clear picture of how local networks can support new social enterprises to ensure their long-term resilience.
The Handbook: this is the theoretical cornerstone of the project. The handbook explores the solidarity economy model as a response to socio-economic crises, providing career guidance and adult education professionals with a solid conceptual framework. The text examines how creativity and democratic participation can become levers for the labour market inclusion of vulnerable individuals.
The Toolbox: this is the most practical resource, designed for use ‘in the field’. It includes innovative non-formal learning methodologies, structured workshops and step-by-step guides for facilitators. The Toolbox guides users through the entire collective entrepreneurship process: from generating a shared idea, to managing conflicts within the group, right through to planning the cooperative’s economic sustainability.
Community Engagement: in addition to producing materials, the project has already established a network of local and regional stakeholders. Through regular newsletters and networking activities, CREASSE has begun to raise awareness among institutions of the importance of investing in human capital in rural areas, promoting the social economy as a non-extractive model of development.
These outputs, already available on the project’s official platform, form the basis for the upcoming pilot training phases, which will involve the direct participation of adults and trainers across Europe.
A coalition for the region
The project brings together six leading organisations in Europe, coordinated by the Spanish organisation Acción contra el Hambre, in a collaborative effort involving partners from Italy (Materahub), Cyprus (SYNTHESIS), Albania (Partners Albania) and Hungary (CTRIA).
Outlook for the future
With its methodological foundations now firmly established, the project is moving into the phase of local implementation and the roll-out of training programmes, with the aim of creating a lasting impact that extends beyond the lifespan of the European funding.
For further information and to download materials: www.creasse.eu
