The ASSETS Project in Izmir
The ASSETS consortium convened in Izmir for a two-day plenary meeting hosted by the Izmir Institute of Technology. Partners from across Europe came together to share progress, align strategies, and strengthen collaboration around the project’s central mission: to empower Social Economy Organisations (SEOs) with innovative digital tools, evidence-based insights, and inclusive methods of engagement.
Developing Digital Tools for the Social Economy
A central focus of the meeting was the technical work underpinning the ASSETS digital solutions. Partners presented the progress of several tools currently in development, including the mobile application and community portal that will form the project’s digital backbone.
These tools are being co-created with end-users to ensure they are both practical and impactful. To guide the design process, ASSETS partners have undertaken extensive user requirements surveys with SEOs and universities, complemented by in-depth interviews and quantitative data collection across Member States and regions. This effort is providing valuable insights into how digital technologies can support SEOs in areas such as knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and evaluation of their societal impact.
Understanding Regional Realities
The consortium also reviewed progres on the mapping of different regional instances of social enterprises. Almost all partners have now completed 15–20 in-depth interviews in their countries and regions, gathering first-hand perspectives from SEO representatives. This qualitative work has been paired with quantitative surveys, creating a robust evidence base to better understand the challenges, opportunities, and diversity of the Social Economy across Europe.
This combination of methods ensures that ASSETS’ outputs are not only theoretically sound but also deeply grounded in the realities of those working on the ground.
Living Labs: Bridging Local Voices and Project Ambitions
Day two of the plenary opened with a Living Labs workshop, a key element of the ASSETS methodology. Living Labs are participatory environments where stakeholders and end-users can directly engage in the design, testing, and refinement of solutions.
The workshop in Izmir allowed partners to exchange experiences from their regional contexts, reflect on challenges faced by SEOs, and co-create ideas on how ASSETS can translate research into practical tools. By connecting local realities with the project’s wider ambitions, Living Labs are helping ensure that the ASSETS project remains rooted in inclusivity and co-creation.
Planning the Road Ahead
The plenary concluded with forward-looking sessions across all work packages, focused on planning, evaluation, and communication. Partners reflected on how the project’s early outputs can be further developed, shared, and tested in collaboration with SEOs, policymakers, and the wider research community.
This collaborative spirit is central to ASSETS: through joint planning and continuous reflection, the consortium is working to build stronger pathways for innovation and impact in the Social Economy.
A Shared Vision for Impact
The two days in Izmir underlined the importance of face-to-face exchanges in building trust, reinforcing partnerships, and sparking creativity. By bringing together diverse expertise and local perspectives, the meeting helped set the stage for the next phase of the project.
The ASSETS consortium extends its gratitude to the Izmir Institute of Technology for their hospitality and to all partners for their dedication and contributions. With renewed momentum, ASSETS moves forward with a shared vision to strengthen the Social Economy across Europe through digital innovation, inclusive methods, and stronger collaboration.
