Media
Here you will find information on past forums as well as media-related information such as media releases, logos, visuals, and various materials for print.
Past forums
The SSEF has already been held three times. Find below information about the program, speakers and partners as well as recordings of the last editions.
On May 25, 2023, the social economy gathered once again at the #SSEF - this year at the Progr in Bern.
The diversity of participants reflected the breadth of the social economy and its diverse stakeholders. Thematically, the forum could be divided into four focal points: Education, Communication, Funding and Policy. For this purpose, panels, input sessions and two workshops were held.
SSEF23 | Panel: Social Entrepreneurship on the national stage
While the Social Economy in the EU is gaining a lot of momentum with the Social Economy Action Plan and the OECD Recommendation, efforts in Switzerland to bring social entrepreneurship onto the national stage have not been very successful so far. At the same time, the Social Entrepreneurship Monitor Switzerland clearly shows that political commitment and a national support strategy for social businesses are particularly important.
The question therefore arises as to how the ball can be set rolling in Switzerland: Which actors need to be brought on board? What concrete measures are necessary? What are the next steps?
Discussing:
- Melanie Mettler, National Councillor, GLP
- Thomas Tribelhorn, Chairman of the Executive Board, ADEV Energiegenossenschaft
- Ingrid Kissling-Näf, Co-President SIBA & Directorate Bern University of Applied Sciences Economy
- Hannes Gassert, Co-Founder Liip
Moderation: Helen Issler, Former. deputy editor-in-chief, DRS
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Speakers
Sponsors & Partners
Gegenwart und Zukunft der Social Economy, Finanzierung von Social Businesses, Social Gastronomy, digitale & monetäre Commons, Purpose Ventures und Soziale Innovation: Das Swiss Social Economy Forum 2022 trat zum zweiten Mal und erneut reichhaltig an aktuellsten Themen auf.
Dieses Mal in hybrider Ausführung, on-und offline, trafen sich Akteur:innen der Social Economy und Interessierte im Kraftwerk in Zürich.
SSEF22 | Panel: Social Innovation
We can solve social problems not only with technical innovations but also with social innovations. Examples of social innovations include new forms of participation, communication and cooperation in areas such as energy, resource efficiency, agriculture or mobility. How do we promote social innovation in Switzerland? What is the relation between technical and social innovation? How do we use social innovations for sustainable business models?
Discussing:
- Annalise Eggimann, Director of Innosuisse
- Patrick Honauer, Social Entrepreneur / Lecturer
- Stefan Schöbi, Head Migros Pioneer Fund
- Prof. Dr. Ingrid Kissling-Näf, Head of Department. Economy BFH / Co-President SIBA
Moderation: Moritz Meyer, Communication Lead One Planet Lab & Impact Hub Zurich
SSEF22 | Panel: Cooperatives in the 21st century
In Switzerland, cooperatives have a tradition as part of the social economy. How can we ensure that the cooperative spirit is passed on to the next generation? What role do cooperatives play in the future corporate world in Switzerland?
Discussing:
- Anja Niedworok, Researcher ETH Zurich
- Lars Kläger, CCO Mobility Genossenschaft
- Thomas Tribelhorn, CEO ADEV Energiegenossenschaft
- Regina Natsch, Vice President SENS
Moderation: Helen Issler, former deputy editor-in-chief SF DRS
SSEF22 | Panel: Present & Future of the Social Economy in Switzerland
What role does the social economy play in Switzerland? What are needs, interests, and barriers of social entrepreneurs? What do these mean for decision-makers in politics, administration and business?
Discussing:
- Rahel Pfister, Mananging Director of SENS
- Christophe Dunand, APRÈS-Geneve
- Lisa Mazzone, Council of States Geneva
- Natalie Laechelt, Policy Analyst OECD
Moderation: Paola Gallo, CEO Jobfactory
SSEF22 | Podium: Financing Social Business
How can social enterprises be better connected with funders & investors? What consulting services do social entrepreneurs need in terms of financing? What role do foundations, banks, the public sector and other players play today and in the future?
Discussing:
- David Brühlmeier, Project Manager Bold.Foundation
- Anja Koenig, DACH Manager European Venture Philanthropy Association
- Diana Schor-Hayoz, KMU-Financing Alternative Bank Schweiz
- Christoph Inauen, Co-Founder Choba Choba AG
Moderation: Nicola Forster, Präsident SGG
Speakers
Sponsoren & Partner
Im Frühling 2021 wurde das Forum live aus der Halle 7 in Basel gestreamt. Hier wurde erstmals national Relevanz und Status Quo der Social Economy aufgezeigt, um schliesslich über Potenzial und Herausforderungen diskutieren zu können.
Dank digitaler Workshops und Sessions wurde ein interaktives Programm ermöglicht und praxisrelevante Themen angegangen. Mit Blick über die nationalen Grenzen hinweg, wurde zum Ende des Forums der Blick geöffnet und die Schweizer Social Economy in den Europäischen Kontext eingebettet.
SSEF21 | Opening
Opening of the Swiss Social Economy Forum 2021.
The SSEF creates a Switzerland-wide public stage for topics related to impact-oriented management for actors from practice, science, politics and civil society. The social economy and social entrepreneurs make an important contribution to prosperity in Switzerland. The #SSEF contributes to awareness of this sector and improves the framework for the social economy.
SSEF21 | Stories of success
Speaking:
- Barbara Buser, architect and partner Baubüro in situ
- Paola Gallo, CEO Jobfactory
- Ursina Hasler, Communication and Product Development reCIRCLE
Moderation: Lea Grüter
SSEF21 | Intro-Statements
What is the role of the social economy in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic? What does innovation have to do with the social economy and social entrepreneurship? How can the transformative power of the social economy fully unfold? To what extent do social entrepreneurs have a transformative power for a sustainable and resilient economic system? Where do they see the social economy in ten years? What should policymakers and government agencies do to support the social economy? What is the contribution of science to the social economy? Wie transformieren wir die wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Systeme, wie wir sie bis heute kennen?
Speaking:
- Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights
- Luciana Vaccaro, Vice-President Innosuisse
- Erich Geisser, CEO Changemaker
- Suzanne Wisse-Huizkes, CEO Euclid Network
- Christoph Dunand, Co-Founder APRÈS-GE & Ashoka Senior Fellow
- Anna Athanasopoulou, Head of Unit – Proximity, Social Economy and Creative Industries, European Commission
- Marthe Nyssens, President EMES Research Network for Social Entreprise
- Nora Wilhelm, Co-Founder collaboratio helvetica
SSEF21 | Panel: Social Economy & Social Entrepreneurship in Switzerland
The social economy includes social entrepreneurs, cooperatives, non-profit associations, foundations, and other forms of business. What unites these organizations is a positive social impact as the purpose of their activity. The Social Economy contributes to solving current societal challenges and makes a strong and important contribution to the social and economic well-being of Switzerland. While there is a long-standing tradition of cooperative enterprises in Switzerland, the concept and understanding of social entrepreneurship from the English-speaking world has only arrived in this country in recent years. Awareness of this sector is still low in Switzerland. Time for a fundamental discussion: What role does the social economy play in Switzerland? What is the potential for growth? How does the social economy contribute to solving current societal challenges? What are the challenges for social entrepreneurs in Switzerland? How can these challenges be addressed and which actors are needed?
Discussing:
- Prof. Dr. Georg von Schnurbein, Professor of Foundation Management and Director of the Center for Philantropy Studies (CEPS)
- Anita Wymann, Chairman of the Board of Directors Alternative Bank Switzerland
- Jenny Schäpper-Uster, Co-Founder VillageOffice Cooperative
- Dr. Beni Rohrbach, Reserach and Development SENS
Moderation: Pia Tschannen, founder and collaborator fairness at work
SSEF21 | Panel: Framework conditions for the social economy
The social economy makes an important contribution to prosperity in Switzerland because it combines economic activity with a positive social impact, thus helping to solve current social challenges. While the topic has already made it onto the political agenda in Germany and the EU, for example, and better framework conditions are being created for the sector, awareness of the sector in Switzerland is still low. In a response to a postulate on the subject, the Federal Council writes that “the existing framework conditions for promoting social entrepreneurship in Switzerland are favorable.” However, a survey among social entrepreneurs shows: 60 % of the respondents describe the weak lobby in politics as the biggest and most important hurdle for social entrepreneurship. Together with representatives from politics and practice, we will discuss what framework conditions the social economy needs. How can the social economy develop better in Switzerland? How do we get more social startups established? And: which actors are in demand – governments, parliaments or authorities?
Discussing:
- Melanie Mettler, National Councillor GLP
- Adrian Wiedmer, Managing Director gebana AG
- Nik Gugger, National Councillor EVP
- Samuel Brülisauer, Research Analyst UNRISD
Moderation: Helen Issler, former deputy editor-in-chief DRS
SSEF21 | Panel: Cooperatives as part of the social economy
Cooperatives have a long tradition in Switzerland; alpine cooperatives were already formed in the Middle Ages. Today, more than 8,000 cooperative enterprises in a wide variety of sectors, such as agriculture, housing, banking, trade and insurance, continue the tradition of socially responsible business. Although the principle of cooperative management as the basis of cooperatives has existed for a long time, the idea has lost none of its relevance. On the contrary, with the demand for responsible and sustainable management, the cooperative has proven to be a very good legal form for this: Democratic values, issues around profit, ownership and participation are anchored in the DNA of this legal form. As a result, many new innovative cooperatives are emerging today in the fields of media, renewable energies, community living, gastronomy, mobility or data/IT. Time to bring this form of enterprise into the public spotlight: What role do cooperatives play for prosperity in Switzerland? What is the potential for growth? How can cooperatives contribute to solving current social challenges? What are the challenges for cooperative start-ups in Switzerland?
Discussing:
- Clara Vuillemin, Member of the Board of Directors Project R Genossenschaft
- Andreas Appenzeller, Special Projects ADEV Energy Cooperative
- Max Ruhri, Member of the Executive Board Freie Gemeinschaftsbank Genossenschaft
- Dominik Waser, Founder of rampe21 food cooperative
Regina Natsch Lawyer & Expert for Cooperative Law
Speakers
Sponsoren & Partner
The SSEF in the media
Echo der Zeit (31.05.2023)
Social Economy: Wirtschaft neu gedacht - Echo der Zeit - SRF
BümplizWochen (9.05.2023)
Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft – BümplizWoche (buemplizwoche.ch)
Media info
Media contact:
Rahel Pfister, Mananging Director of SENS
rahel.pfister@sens-suisse.ch