Comparative report on WISEs
The comparative report “Catalysts for inclusive transition: WISEs trajectories, innovative pathways and policies in Europe & Serbia”, developed within the Horizon WISESHIFT project in which EURICSE is a partner, provides an in-depth overview of the landscape of Work Integration Social Enterprises in the European Union and Serbia. Building on national and European studies developed over recent decades and enriched by contributions from WISESHIFT partners, the report traces the emergence, evolution, and recognition pathways of these organisations, highlighting their contribution to building more inclusive and sustainable socio-economic systems.
At the core of the study are Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs), understood as an innovative expression of the social economy: organisations that promote the labour market integration of people in need of support while addressing complex social challenges, combining social objectives with economically valuable activities for the wider community. The report analyses different national contexts across the 27 EU Member States and Serbia, with a particular focus on the countries involved in the WISESHIFT consortium: Belgium, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Serbia.
The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse legal forms adopted, along with integration models (permanent, transitional, and mixed), sectors of activity, and types of beneficiaries. It thus highlights the multiple ways in which these enterprises contribute not only to social innovation, but also to the transformation of labour market policies.
Building on the findings of the report and the companion study on the Transformative Potential of WISEs, the first policy brief has also been published, entitled “Unlocking the Transformative Potential of WISEs in the EU”, marking an important step in translating research findings into concrete guidance for public policy. The document aims to support policymakers in developing dedicated strategies for WISEs, bridging scientific evidence and field-based experience developed throughout the project.
