UNEI and Gureak Forge Path of Social Economy Success through Innovation and Collaboration
Andalusian social enterprise UNEI and Basque group Gureak collaborate in Sevilla to share innovative social economy solutions and promote employment for people with disabilities.
- • UNEI and Gureak held a two-day forum in Sevilla to exchange success stories and innovations.
- • Both companies employ over 80% of their workforce as people with disabilities.
- • UNEI showcased its logistics and teleassistance services to Gureak’s delegation.
- • Plans are made for UNEI to visit Gureak’s facilities in 2026 to continue collaboration.
Key details
The Andalusian social enterprise UNEI and the Basque group Gureak recently held a two-day forum in Sevilla to share success stories and innovative practices aimed at boosting the social economy in their regions. This meeting marked the first bilateral forum where both companies exchanged insights to enhance their scalable business models, especially in logistics and teleassistance services.
UNEI, supported mainly by Grupo Social ONCE and the Junta de Andalucía, employs over 1,800 people and operates in logistics, environmental conservation, and sports management. Gureak, based in San Sebastián, has over 6,100 employees and focuses on improving labor inclusion for people with disabilities. Remarkably, both organizations have more than 80% of their workforce composed of individuals with disabilities.
During the forum, Gureak’s general director Asier Vitoria and his team were introduced to UNEI’s Smart Supply integrated logistics and advanced teleassistance business lines. They toured UNEI’s logistics center and teleassistance laboratory, exploring innovative devices from various manufacturers, including UNEI’s own ecosystem. The collaboration aims not only to share business strategies but also to foster inclusion, particularly targeting new models of mental health support.
UNEI's general director Rafael Cía emphasized that their social economy enterprises exemplify wealth creation through innovation and competitiveness. Plans are underway for UNEI to visit Gureak's facilities in San Sebastián in 2026, strengthening their alliance and mutual learning.
This collaboration highlights how regional social enterprises in Spain can jointly innovate and promote employment for marginalized populations, driving the social economy's growth with a competitive edge.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
