Home > About Euclid Network > Programmes and Campaigns > Soft power
Soft power
Soft power is defined as the ability to obtain what you want through co-option and attraction.
The third sector/ social economy is no longer a sector that can be ignored. In working at the grassroots level directly with citizens, we find ourselves confronting some of Europe's greatest social problems.
Soft power for Euclid Network (EN) comrpises of using its connections and networks to give the sector a greater voice in the corridors of power. Connecting our members and advocating on behalf of the sector to ensure that the sector and citizens are central to the policy making process.
The issue of civil society in Europe is also highlighted in the newly ratified Lisbon Treaty. This commits the European Union to opening a dialogue with civil society and the commission (Article 8) and commits them to "foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty" (Article 10a).
The EN secreatriat does this using several key elements:
This is European Social Innovation
The European Commission is supporting the Social Innovation eXchange (SIX) and Euclid Network to identify 10 large-scale successful examples of socially innovative initiatives, with the aim of raising the profile of social innovation across Europe and creating an impact beyond the established social innovation community. Read more
Consultations and EU policy news
The European Commission run several consultations on key policy issues that have a direct impact on the sector, our members and European citizens. EN works with its members to form recommendations and suggestions on these issues. Learn about current and past policy consultations.
Rapid response panel
EN is developing a rapid response panel of third sector leaders to respond to political, economic and social affairs. The lack of reaction from the social economy / third sector actors on major subjects is a serious problem, when often it is our sector that have solutions. The project due to start in 2010.
Who's who? A guide to lobbying Europe for civil society
EN is compiling a directory of the most influential figures in Brussels to aid civil society activists in navigating the different organisations and raise their concerns effectively. By establishing a who's who guide, we will not only be able to support these aims, but also reduce the chance of large discrepancies in the influence and access civil society has within Europe.