ENSIE is committed to maintaining, representing, and expanding networks of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) across Europe. WISEs are key to integrate vulnerable groups into the workforce by creating quality jobs and offering upskilling and reskilling to address the green, digital and just transitions. They also play a vital role in promoting social inclusion and combating inequality. ENSIE and its members are strong and efficient implementation actors of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and its Action Plan in their daily activities.

The Social Economy Action Plan is also the guiding element of the ENSIE activities and actions. Moreover, ENSIE fosters the sectoral skills strategy (Blueprint) for WISEs and join forces with European WISEs representatives and VET providers to ensure WISEs growth and contribution to an inclusive union of skills. ENSIE will continue working with the European Commission, Council (via EU Presidencies), and Parliament, engaging MEPs and the Social Economy Intergroup. It will also strengthen collaboration with EU networks such as Social Platform, SEE, and others to ensure coordinated advocacy for the social economy. ENSIE will monitor the European Semester alongside its members, supporting their understanding and meaningful participation in the processto strengthen advocacy efforts at both national and EU levels.

In countries where WISEs are well-established, ENSIE will work on shaping social and employment policies targeting vulnerable groups. In regions where WISEs are less developed, ENSIE will focus on advocating for favourable legislative frameworks for WISEs and will use the possibilities given by the financial support to third parties. ENSIE will continue to provide evidence of the social and economic impact of WISEs through data-driven studies and expand its online databases. Additionally, it will amplify the voices of WISEs workers through annual campaigns, ensuring their concerns remain central in policy discussions.

ENSIE is launching the first call for proposals under the Be WISE plus – Be WISE in Supporting Inclusive Social Europe project, co-funded by the European Union. Through this call, ENSIE will provide financial support to third parties to strengthen the organisational capacity, visibility and representation of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs), particularly in countries where WISE ecosystems remain weak, emerging or underrepresented.

The call aims to support the creation and early-stage structuration of national or regional WISE networks, while encouraging their engagement in European-level initiatives, including research, advocacy and policy dialogue. Eligible applicants include single WISEs and networks of WISEs, whether ENSIE members or non-members, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Supported activities may include network development, capacity-building, strategic and organisational strengthening, participation in the Impact-WISEs study, stakeholder mobilisation, and awareness-raising actions promoting the social economy and the role of WISEs.

Eligible countries include the Member States of the EU where WISEs representation is weak. Following the data from the B-WISE project, countries with less than 1500 WISEs are considered countries where WISEs representation is weak. The table is accessible here.

Eligible countries also include the following non-EU countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine.

The total budget available for the call is €15,000, with up to €3,000 per selected project, including a required 15% co-financing contribution. One project per country may be funded, with implementation running from 15 August to 30 November 2026. Beneficiaries will also be invited to present their projects during a pitch session at ENSIE’s extra General Assembly in Dublin on 18–19 November 2026.

Applications must be submitted in English or French by 18 July 2026 at 15:00 CET.

The guide for applicants is available here below.