EU: Scanning the Internet DIESIS network

Since 1997, DIESIS ? standing for European and International research and development service for the social economy and the co-operatives ? is working in five areas (project related services ; information and communication, training, research and networking), as stated in its web site. DIESIS associates 14 organizations/members coming from Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Israel, Italy and Palestine, representing 80 000 enterprises all over Europe. Although the Internet figures picture is impressive, very few informations are available on the sector itself or on the evaluations done in the past for clients. Under the heading of the latest news, we have found finally something to grasp : a forthcoming seminar taking place in Brussels (European Parliament) on 22 November 2006 on « Enterprises co-operatives of property of the workers », and the mention of a previous seminar on the new Polish law on social co-operatives. Maybe there is some hope to meet the DIESIS partners around Europe, from the municipality of Messina to the Polish ministry of regional development.. But this scanning exercice has a serious purpose : to offer a free media on the new social economy open to all and interactive.