Social Economy Berlin is a project established to strengthen the interconnectedness and support system for social entrepreneurs and organizations working in Berlin's social and solidarity economy. Initiated in August 2020, the project is jointly implemented by Social Entrepreneurship Netzwerk Berlin (SEND) and Technologie-Netzwerk Berlin e.V. (TechNet), and is supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. The project was initially set to run until the end of 2021.
Social Economy Berlin aims to create a central point for networking, facilitating workshops, and organizing events where local actors in the social economy sector can exchange knowledge and resources. A key area of activity is offering counseling and support for those founding or developing social enterprises. This includes free advice and training sessions, both for social entrepreneurs and for professionals at related institutions, such as the Chamber of Commerce and the business development bank of Berlin.
An additional focus is increasing the public visibility of the social economy. Efforts include strategic communications, outreach to economic and political actors, and the organization of major conferences to bring together stakeholders, policy makers, and the public. The project builds on prior research, notably the “Social Innovation Capital Berlin” project, which assessed the needs of the sector and presented actionable recommendations.
Among the most tangible examples of its work are regular workshops, networking events, and counseling services for startups and established social businesses, aiming to foster innovation and enhance cooperation across the sector.