Spanish Regions Bolster Social Economy with Significant Government Support in 2025

The Basque and Zamora regional governments have reinforced their commitment to the social economy sector in 2025 through strategic financial investments aimed at fostering job creation and social cohesion.

The Basque Government's Department of Economy, Labor, and Employment granted a 500,000-euro subsidy to ASETT (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank), a hub located in Donostia focused on innovation and best practices in the social economy. The funding supports ASETT’s operational costs and international positioning as it seeks to become an international leader in social economy research and collaboration. ASETT has launched its first international forum and is building an academic network, backed by multiple public and private entities, including the Basque Government, the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, and the Mondragón Group. This initiative underscores the Basque administration's dedication to collaborative, sustainable economic models that promote regional and European well-being (110204).

In Zamora, regional Minister Leticia García highlighted the social economy's role as a "motor of well-being and job creation," particularly in the care sector for dependent individuals. The Junta de Castilla y León has invested nearly 55 million euros in social economy programs, with a focus on care, which accounts for 32.5% of employment within the sector. This emphasis extends to social and territorial cohesion, as a significant portion of employment supports workers with disabilities and is located in rural areas, aiding population retention. In 2024, over 1.5 million euros were allocated specifically to support social economy entities in Zamora, leading to the creation of more than 200 jobs alongside sustained employment of 6,686 individuals with disabilities. Combined with ongoing active employment support programs, these efforts reflect a strong, increasing budgetary prioritization for social economy as a vehicle for social integration and economic activity (110208).

Together, these initiatives illustrate Spain’s commitment to leveraging social economy enterprises and cooperatives as catalysts for employment growth and social cohesion across diverse regions. The financial backing and strategic goals outlined by both the Basque Government and Castilla y León demonstrate a holistic approach to economic development that includes innovation hubs and localized care services.