On December 9, 2021, the European Commission, introduced the Social Economy Action Plan, aiming to unlock the full potential of the social economy sector by creating the right conditions for social economy growth, fostering skill development in the sector, and enhancing recognition of its potential. In line with this goal, the Planning Seeds project aims to create a shared European methodological framework and a Handbook for the creation and management of Solidarity Economy Districts, involving young adults (18 – 30) with fewer opportunities and the elderly population (65+) in their development and promotion.

The project intends to scale up the roadmap for the creation of Local Green Deals (LGDs) developed as part of the European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) at the community level by activating the bottom-up innovation within the social economy – Solidarity Economy Districts (SEEDs) initiative. SEEDs and their associated purchasing groups, known as ‘short food supply chains’ (SFSCs) promote circular economy principles, local consumption, and have a significant social impact. Aligning with the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy, SFSCs play a crucial role in improving local food systems, reducing dependence on long-distance transport, and contributing to both the green transition and social inclusion objectives.