Social Firms Europe CEFEC

18/08/2026

🤩 We are happy to share with you the Report of the 6th SFE CEFEC Academy, which was held in Bled, Slovenia, between 1–5 June 2026 🇸🇮

This year's edition of the Academy was organized within the Erasmus+ project Green Leaders, bringing together 20 participants from across Europe.

During the Academy, participants developed their own social enterprise ideas and presented their projects to the SFE CEFEC Executive Committee.

📖 Check out the full Report on our website and discover the highlights of the 6th SFE CEFEC Academy! https://socialfirmseurope.eu/projects-3/sfe-cefec-academy/

17/08/2026

🌱 From 1 to 5 June 2026, 18 participants from five partner organisations — GPE Germany, CPU Slovenia, ACDC Romania, DMLAS Italy and CEFEC — came together for another edition of the Green Leaders Academy.

Over the course of the Academy, they exchanged ideas, inspired one another and explored how green initiatives can create positive change not only for the environment, but also for people and communities. 💡

🤝 What makes the Green Leaders Academy special is the opportunity to bring together young people from different countries and backgrounds, creating connections that go beyond the training itself and can inspire action in their own communities.

We are proud to see this international group continue to grow, learn from one another and turn shared values into ideas with the potential to make a real difference. 🌍

05/08/2026

During the period 30 July - 4 August, Felicitas Kresimon, General Secretary of SFE CEFEC, visited the Social Firms Europe CEFEC Secretariat in Romania 🇷🇴

The visit was a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration, exchange ideas, and connect with our members and partners.

🏨 Together with Petru Vasile Gafiuc, President of Organizatia Institutul Bucovina & Development Manager of SFE CEFEC, and Alina Birsan, Operational Manager of SFE CEFEC, the team visited the Suceava General Hospital, where they learned more about the institution's work and explored opportunities for future cooperation.

📌 These days programme included as well meeting with our member from Republic of Moldova, AO AREAP providing an opportunity to discuss ongoing activities and share experiences.

🤩 Also, the CEFEC Secretariat team had the great opportunity to meet the beneficiaries from OAZA, a protected housing facility located in the village of Brânzeni, Edineț District, managed by AREAP. The centre provides accommodation and social inclusion services for people with disabilities and represents a successful community-based initiative dedicated to supporting independent living and social integration.

By sharing knowledge, building relationships, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, SFE CEFEC continues to strengthen its European network and support initiatives.

04/08/2026

Thank you Alina Birsan for your significant contribuition for community of Bucovina Institute!

20/07/2026

Congratulations to our member AREAP from Repunlic of Moldova!

16/07/2026

Thank you too Claudia Rustige and her team for the great cooperation at european level! Thank you Klaus Meyer zu Brickwedde for representativity of the sector and great professional work!

Eine Ära geht zu Ende: Nach elf Jahren als Geschäftsführerin der bag if ist Claudia Rustige seit dem 01.07. im Ruhestand.

Seit 2015 leitete sie die Geschäftsführung der bag if, zuvor hatte sie sich bereits lange im Vorstand engagiert. Mit ihrem tiefgehenden Fachwissen, ihrer klaren Haltung und ihrer Durchsetzungskraft hat sie die bag if professionalisiert, sichtbarer und schlagkräftiger gemacht. Politische Rahmenbedingungen für Inklusionsunternehmen hat sie maßgeblich mitgestaltet und bedeutende Förderinstrumente mit auf den Weg gebracht.

Mit einem großen Netzwerk zu wichtigen Partnern, direkten Kontakten zu den Inklusionsunternehmen und Wertschätzung für deren Arbeit hat Claudia Rustige die bag if zu einer wichtigen Stimme gemacht.

Die gesamte Geschäftsstelle bedankt sich bei Claudia Rustige für ihren großartigen Einsatz für Inklusionsunternehmen und wünscht ihr alles Gute!

15/07/2026

📘 The 2026 CEFEC Conference Report is now available!

We are delighted to share the official report of the 40th CEFEC Conference, held in Bled, Slovenia, on 4–5 June 2026, under the inspiring theme:

🌱 "Reuse, Innovation and Green Jobs: Unlocking Inclusive Business Models for the Future."

Over two days, 134 participants from 16 countries came together to exchange ideas, showcase innovative practices, and explore how the social economy and the circular economy can work hand in hand to create inclusive employment opportunities and strengthen local communities.

The report takes you through:
♻️ Keynote speeches and panel discussions
🤝 European cooperation and networking
💡 Innovative social enterprise models and green business solutions
🌍 Study visits and practical examples of circular economy in action
🏆 The 2026 CEFEC Awards and Academy
📈 Key reflections and recommendations for the future of the European social economy

A special thank you goes to Center Ponovne Uporabe (CPU) and the entire Slovenian organising team for hosting such a memorable conference, and to all speakers, partners, volunteers, and participants who made this event a true celebration of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

📖 We invite you to explore the report and discover the ideas, partnerships, and inspiring practices that will continue shaping a greener and more inclusive future across Europe.

https://socialfirmseurope.eu/2026-sfe-cefec-conference-report/

26/06/2026

🇧🇪 Day 2 – Final Green Leaders Forum

On 25 June, the Green Leaders Project concluded with its Final Green Leaders Forum, held in a hybrid format,bringing together partners, Green Leaders and experts in Brussels to celebrate the project's achievements and discuss the future of green leadership and social entrepreneurship.

The programme featured inspiring keynote presentations, including:

🌿 "On the Intersections of EU Green Policy and the Social Economy" by Mrs. Jana Hrčková, Policy Officer at the Sustainable Products Unit, DG Environment, European Commission.

💼 "Making Green Business Work: The Hands-On Reality of a Social Enterprise" by Herwin Daniëls, Project Manager, Team Innovation at Morgenmakers (Belgium).

Participants also watched a special video message from Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament, heard testimonials from the young Green Leaders, and reflected on the project's impact, results, and future opportunities for collaboration.

🙏 Thank you to everyone who joined us in Brussels and online, and to all our partners, speakers, and participants for making the Green Leaders journey such a meaningful and inspiring experience!

24/06/2026

🇧🇪 Day 1 of the Final Green Leaders Forum

Today, partners and participants of the Green Leaders Project gathered in Brussels for the first day of the Final Green Leaders Forum, exploring one of Europe's leading events dedicated to sustainability and circular innovation: the Textiles Recycling Expo 2026

Throughout the day, Green Leaders had the opportunity to connect with experts, innovators, policymakers, and businesses working to transform the future of the textile industry.

Highlights of the day included inspiring keynote speeches and panel discussions on:

♻️ Textile recycling and circular economy solutions
♻️ Design for circularity and sustainable production
♻️ Advanced recycling technologies and AI-driven innovation
♻️ Textile waste management and collection systems
♻️ Collaboration between brands, recyclers, organisations, and policymakers

🌍 A great start to the Forum, filled with learning, networking, and inspiration. We look forward to continuing the discussions tomorrow and sharing more with participants joining us both in Brussels and online.