the Athenaeum as a driver of the social economy in the Baix Llobregat – Athenaeum
During 2025, from the Ateneu Cooperatiu del Baix Llobregat we have accompanied more than 100 initiatives and projects that have wanted to transform or be born within the framework of the social and solidarity economy (ESS). A figure that not only reflects the vitality of the territory, but also the growing interest in economic models that are more fair, collective and rooted in the real needs of people.
This positive balance confirms, once again, that SSE is not a marginal alternative, but an expanding reality that responds to current challenges with values of cooperation, sustainability and democracy. The accompaniments we have carried out over the course of this year have been very diverse, both in subject matter and in the type of projects, but they all share the same objective: putting life at the center and building an economy with a human face.
What do we mean by accompaniment?
The accompaniments that we offer from the Ateneo are a free and personalized service of advice, guidance and practical support for people, groups and entities that want to create, consolidate or transform projects within the ESS. This includes everything from initiatives in the ideation phase to established cooperatives looking to grow, diversify or rethink their operation.
Among the most requested services this year are:
- Advice for the creation of cooperatives.
- Accompaniment in the transformation of associations or companies into cooperatives.
- Support in search for ethical funding.
- Guidance on issues of democratic governance, collective management and care.
- Accompaniment in the definition of business models rooted in the territory.
- Advice to access the public procurement with social criteria.
These processes not only offer technical knowledge and practical tools, but also seek to empower people and groups so that they can make their own decisions and develop viable, sustainable projects with a positive impact.
Transformative projects throughout the territory
The more than 100 accompaniments carried out in 2025 have taken place in several municipalities of the Baix Llobregat and have covered very diverse sectors: culture, care, sustainability, housing, education, communication, agroecology, mobility, among many others. This plurality demonstrates the capacity of the ESS to respond to real needs and to innovate in very different areas.
Some of these projects have ended up being established as cooperatives, others have found new ways to articulate or grow, and others are still in the maturation phase. But all of them have taken a step forward towards an economic model that is more democratic, equitable and rooted in the territory.
The Athenaeum as a point of reference
This volume of accompaniments would not be possible without the collective effort of the Ateneo’s technical team, the driving entities and the alliances established with other agents in the territory. Our task is not only to accompany one-off projects, but to weave a network, generate links and build a strong and diverse cooperative community.
In addition, many of the projects we have accompanied this year have found synergies with each other, collaborated or shared learning spaces, demonstrating that the social economy is not only based on institutional support, but also on mutual cooperation and solidarity.
Towards 2026…
With an eye on 2026, the aim is to continue strengthening this service and adapt it to the new realities and challenges that are emerging. We will continue to bet on integral and situated accompaniments, which take into account care, the diversity of contexts and the feminist and anti-racist perspective as transversal axes.
Thank you to all the people and projects that have trusted us this 2025. Together, we are building another economic model — more cooperative, fairer and more alive.
🔗 If you have an idea, a collective project or simply curiosity about the social economy, contact us! The Ateneu Cooperative del Baix Llobregat is your home.
