Cooperative Economy Association – Social Solidarity Economy Germany

Verbund Kooperatives Wirtschaften – Social Solidarity Economy Germany e.V. (VKW)

With the help of the federal program „Sustainable Impact“, the VKW implements in particular the expansion of the network, the transfer of knowledge, the mediation of structure-building economic support instruments through consultations and nationwide events in order to sustainably improve the framework conditions for cooperative business in Germany. Good practices also provide an answer to the current needs to strengthen the economy oriented towards the common good. The project will run for three years. The focus is on:

• Needs and potential analysis: Identification of good practice examples and transfer opportunities for sustainable business models.
• Network expansion: Acquisition of new partner networks and establishment of regional structures –International networking: Exchange with European partners such as DIESIS or RIPESS.
• Information and advisory services: Short consultations, workshops and peer learning formats for SSE Communication: Development of an interactive platform as well as targeted public relations work and PR campaigns.In all these measures, climate protection is a cross-cutting issue

Outlook & Impact – Significance for the Social Solidarity Economy Companies of the Economy for the Common Good (GU = social enterprises), such as citizen energy cooperatives, solidarity-based agriculture or collective farms and other social-solidarity-based enterprises, work democratically organised, demand-oriented and climate-friendly. So far, they have not been sufficiently present in the public perception. With the „Cooperative Economy Association – Social Solidarity Economy Germany“, the first nationwide and cross-sector network for cooperative business was created. With this funding, VKW can strengthen its impact, enable collaboration and scale sustainable innovations. This creates an ecosystem that accelerates the socio-ecological change in Germany and strengthens the economy oriented towards the common good as a sustainable alternative. The following effects are expected:

• Scaling of  successful cooperation models and transfer of best practices
• Effective networking of local, regional and supra-regional initiatives
• Expansion of the structural and organisational competence of cooperative actors through training and advisory services
• Higher visibility and political significance for cooperative economies. The VKW sees this funding as an important milestone in anchoring cooperative and solidarity-based economic forms in Germany in the long term and expanding their role in the transformation economy.

• Specialist workshops on economic structure formation,
• Workshops on (inter-)regional or sectoral networking
• nationwide events for community building and the presentation of project results
• Peer group workshops for a good practice transfer
• Brief consultations for social enterprises and those who want to become one

The  project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) as part of the „Sustainable Impact“ programme. It is part of the „National Strategy for Social Innovations and Enterprises for the Common Good“ (SIGU) and co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the project partners. The funding programme „Sustainable Impact – Promotion of Companies for the Common Good“ was launched by the BMWK (now BMWE) in 2024 and is endowed with around 110 million euros until 2028. It is aimed at organizations that provide consulting, qualification, information and networking services for companies oriented towards the common good. Particular emphasis is placed on contributions to climate and environmental protection. Projects with demonstrable added value can receive an increased funding quota („climate bonus“)