The new priorities of the European Commission 2019-2024 indicate shifting towards more sustainable and entrepreneurial economy within the European Green Deal as one of the main goals. Fostering social innovation at local, regional, and inter-regional level will be crucial to support green transition and stimulate cohesion and inclusiveness.
Following this path, HOPE, or ‘Horizontal Policies and Practices for Inclusive Societies in Europe’, is a new international project funded by European Commission’s COSME Programme that will develop horizontal policies to support social economy at local and regional level.
Led by the City of Seinäjoki in Finland, the partnership is formed by four partners:
- City of Maribor (Slovenia)
- Derry City and Strabane District (Northern Ireland)
- ERNACT (EU wide network)
With a duration of 12 months, it commenced on the 1st of February 2021 and it will conclude on the 31st of January 2022.
The three partner cities (Seinäjoki, Derry and Maribor) will develop horizontal policies for inclusive societies, which enhance the well-being of individuals and foster employment and entrepreneurship through multi-professional and multi-sectoral co-operation.
The concept relies on network governance, which can be termed as a collection of persons or institutions engaged in a policy dialogue that are not accountable to the state, interact in an environment that is open and trusting thus facilitating the free flow of views and information within and to other networks. In that way, the HOPE partnership is specifically targeting a policy problem.
To engage with us on social media, please use #HOPEproject hashtag or feel free to contact us!