The DO Impact project (“Digital and Data-Driven Opportunities to strengthen the Social Economy Impact”) is an innovative initiative funded by the SMP-COSME-2023-SEED-01 call under the European Union’s COSME Program. It focuses on empowering SMEs and organizations in the Proximity and Social Economy (PSE) sector by integrating digital tools and data-driven methodologies to enhance their sustainability, social value, and competitiveness.

Key components of the DO Impact project:

  1. Analysis of the PSE Ecosystem: A comprehensive evaluation to understand the challenges, capacities, and opportunities in the sector.
  2. DO Impact Strategy: A structured and flexible approach that includes:
    • Modular digital and data-driven programs to boost skills, access resources, and foster collaboration.
    • Tailored methodologies addressing local and regional priorities for maximum relevance.
  3. Capacity Building Strategy:
    • Mapping digital needs and designing targeted programs to improve digital skills.
    • Delivering these through both transnational activities, such as workshops and training sessions, and local capacity building, including mentoring and coaching for SMEs.
  4. Twin Transition Support: Focused on fostering the green and digital transformation of social enterprises.
  5. Impact Monitoring and Dissemination: Ongoing evaluation of results to ensure objectives are met, with effective communication strategies to share methodologies and enable scalability.

By combining digital tools, data-driven approaches, and traditional methodologies, DO Impact fosters innovation to address societal needs more effectively. These solutions enable PSE actors to identify challenges with precision, design impactful interventions, and securely manage data, driving resilience and sustainability within the sector.

The project targets small and medium-sized enterprises and entities within the social economy, second-tier organisations and entities that aggregate and support multiple actors in the social economy, as well as SMEs operating in the technological sector, which will be involved in the second phase of the project.

  • Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency: Help PSE actors improve operational capabilities while reducing environmental impact.
  • Maximize Social Value: Strengthen positive outcomes for beneficiaries and users through innovative practices.
  • Strengthen Competitiveness: Provide advanced skills, tools, and networks to improve fundraising and market positioning.
  • Project Management and Coordination: Ensures effective governance, risk management, and alignment of activities among partners.
  • Capacity Building for Digital Transformation: Programs designed to transfer knowledge from support organizations to SMEs, addressing regional challenges with targeted solutions.
  • Awareness and Communication: Organized campaigns, events, and materials to promote the project and engage stakeholders across Europe.

Fondazione Piemonte Innova (FPI) is the coordinator of the project. Its main tasks include:

  • General Coordination: acts as an intermediary between the partners and the granting authority.
  • Compliance Monitoring: ensures that partners comply with their obligations.
  • Meeting Management: prepares and chairs the meetings of the General Assembly and the Work Package Leaders Group.
  • Financial Administration: manages the financial contribution and distributes funds to the partners.
  • Communication: promptly transmits relevant documents and information to the partners.
  1. DIESIS Network:
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: DIESIS Network, based in Brussels, Belgium, is a European network that supports the social and solidarity economy through training, research, and consultancy.
  2. Associazione Torino per la Finanza e l’Innovazione Sociale (TOFIS):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: TOFIS is an Italian association based in Turin, focused on promoting finance and social innovation.
  3. Associació Cluster Digital de Catalunya (CLDI):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: CLDI is a Spanish association based in Barcelona, promoting digital and technological innovation among businesses in the sector.
  4. Taula d’Entitats del Tercer Sector Social de Catalunya (TAULA):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: TAULA is a Spanish organization based in Barcelona, representing and coordinating third sector social entities in Catalonia.
  5. Latvijas Socialas Uzņēmējdarbības Asociācija (SEAL):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: SEAL is a Latvian association based in Riga, supporting the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia.
  6. Lietuvos Socialinio Verslo Asociacija (LISVA):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: LISVA is a Lithuanian association based in Vilnius, promoting social entrepreneurship in Lithuania.
  7. Politecnico di Milano – Tiresia (POLIMI):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: POLIMI is an Italian university based in Milan, renowned for its excellence in research and technological innovation.
  8. Coompanion Göteborgsregionen Ek. For. (COOMP.):
    • Role: Partner.
    • Description: COOMP. is a Swedish cooperative based in Gothenburg, supporting the development of cooperatives and social enterprises in the Gothenburg region.