Summer 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Europe’s third sector, with a rich international agenda focused on social innovation, democracy, territorial cohesion, and solidarity-based economies.
From Scotland to Greece, passing through Belgium and Austria, several European cities will host in August and September a series of high-level events aimed at social organisations, cooperatives, civic networks, and professionals dedicated to social transformation. These forums offer spaces for strategic dialogue, policy influence, and transnational alliance-building.
Social Enterprise Summit – Stirling, Scotland
In the city of Stirling, the Scottish social enterprise ecosystem will gather on 2 September for a new edition of the Social Enterprise Summit, under the theme “Collective Power for Systems Change.” The event highlights democratic and community-based social enterprise models and convenes entrepreneurs, activists, and policymakers from across the UK and Europe. Nonprofit organisations will find a unique opportunity to explore new approaches to sustainability, hybrid funding, and local impact.
European Forum Alpbach – Alpbach, Austria
From 16 to 29 August, the small alpine village of Alpbach, in western Austria, transforms into a major European think tank. The European Forum Alpbach blends science, culture, politics, and civil society to tackle Europe’s major challenges through a critical and intergenerational lens. Third sector organisations will participate in seminars on inclusive governance, climate action, civic engagement, and ethical digital transformation.
ERSA Congress – Athens, Greece
The 64th edition of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) Congress will take place in Athens from 26 to 29 August. The event will focus on the role of civil society and social innovation in regional development. Topics will include rural inclusion, community resilience, and collaboration between academia and nonprofit organisations. This is an outstanding opportunity for entities engaged in territorial development and social cohesion.
Rural Pact Conference – Kortrijk, Belgium
On 16 and 17 September, the city of Kortrijk, in western Belgium, will host the Rural Pact Conference, an annual gathering promoted by the European Commission. The conference aims to consolidate alliances between local governments, NGOs, cooperatives, and citizens working to shape the future of Europe’s rural areas. The event seeks to translate the ambitions of the Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda into localised strategies, positioning the third sector as a key actor in rural revitalisation.
Athens Democracy Forum – Athens, Greece
From 30 September to 3 October, Athens will once again host the Athens Democracy Forum, organised by the Democracy and Culture Foundation in partnership with The New York Times. This global platform brings together civil society leaders, academics, and policymakers to discuss the future of democracy. Organisations working in civic engagement, human rights, public ethics, and inclusive communication will find a powerful space for networking, exchanging practices, and addressing democratic threats.
These five events offer more than just thematic diversity—they reflect the European third sector’s growing strategic relevance. They highlight the sector’s ability to drive change in the face of today’s most urgent challenges: democratic erosion, rural decline, digital ethics, and inclusive governance.
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