Located in the northeastern region of Romania, the Bucovina Institute for Social Partnership has, for over two decades, contributed to regional transformation through participatory learning, vocational training, and the promotion of social economy enterprises. By fostering cooperation between public institutions, civil society, and economic stakeholders, the Institute helps build inclusive, resilient communities ready to face future challenges.
Its mission aligns naturally with the European Social Innovation Campus (ESIC)—an ambitious European initiative that aims to build capacity in the social economy, especially in the context of the green and digital transitions. Within this partnership, Bucovina Institute plays an active role in creating learning ecosystems that strengthen both grassroots impact and European collaboration.
Local Commitment Meets European Vision
On May 26, 2025, as part of Romania’s Social Economy Month and in celebration of Enterprise Day, the Institute co-organized the event “Social Economy for Sustainable Community Development” at Galeria Zamca in Suceava, in partnership with the Suceava County Employment Agency.
Over 20 regional stakeholders joined the event—representing public institutions, business associations, universities, and NGOs. Several are also part of our ESIC Local Stakeholder Committee, including the Employment Agencies of Suceava and Botoșani, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Botoșani, and the Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business. Their engagement helped solidify a shared vision and laid the groundwork for the project’s sustainability plan and future deliverables.
The panel discussion, “Social Economy in Action”, highlighted practical models of social innovation and sparked meaningful dialogue about cross-sector collaboration, long-term investment in human capital, and the importance of educational pathways in shaping resilient economies.
Turning Ideas into Impact
The Suceava event was not only an opportunity to gather voices—it was also a platform for advancing the goals of the ESIC project. Throughout the day, Bucovina Institute disseminated information about ESIC, encouraging dialogue around social economy education, emerging skills, and the project’s European impact.
Through its continued work, the Institute contributes to:
- Raising awareness of social economy principles
- Expanding professional development opportunities for educators and leaders
- Enhancing visibility for socially driven entrepreneurship
In this way, Bucovina Institute exemplifies ESIC’s belief that innovation emerges from lived experiences and shared commitment—not just policy frameworks. As one participant reflected:
“Social innovation doesn’t begin in capitals or headquarters—it takes root in real communities, where people collaborate to build a fairer, more sustainable future.”
Author: Iuiana Cernatu, Project Assistant Manager at Bucovina Institute, email: contact@bucovinainstitute.org