Why social innovation is Harghita County\u2019s most important EU task in 2026 \u2013 and what I asked from the county president<\/p>\n
April 30, 2026<\/p>\n
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Harghita County already has solutions that are cited as good practices by other regions in Europe. The only question is: can we turn this into capital in 2026 \u2013 before the EU\u2019s next major funding cycle for 2028\u20132034 is finalized without our name on it?<\/p>\n
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What is social innovation, and why is it good for us?<\/p>\n
Social innovation is not charity, nor is it a utopian theory. Simply put: it consists of solutions that provide sustainable, partly market-based responses to real social problems. Elderly care financed through revenue-generating equine therapy. A food hub that delivers local farmers\u2019 products directly to consumers. A cooperative that helps disadvantaged communities stand on their own feet.<\/p>\n
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These models already exist in Harghita County. The equestrian center of the Kanthaka Association in D\u00e2rjiu finances 90% of its elderly day-care services from its own revenues. The Helyenvalo hub in Odorheiu Secuiesc collects local food products from 104 small producers \u2013 and the entire model has been documented as a European good practice within the Interreg SECON project.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSupporting socially disadvantaged people, strengthening rural communities, and innovation are not mutually exclusive goals \u2013 on the contrary, they are right at the core of the EU\u2019s funding priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Borboly Csaba \u00b7 Vice President, observer member of GECES<\/p>\n
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What opportunities are we talking about exactly?<\/p>\n
The European Union will launch its next seven-year budget cycle in 2028. The social innovation framework of ESF+ (European Social Fund Plus) alone mobilizes nearly \u20ac200 million through transregional projects \u2013 and beyond that, tens of billions of euros flow into member states through National and Regional Partnership Plans. Those who take part in the negotiations now can influence what these funds will be used for and who will benefit from them.<\/p>\n
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GECES \u2013 and why it matters that we are part of it<\/p>\n
GECES (Commission Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises) is the European Commission\u2019s expert group on the social economy. Its members include government representatives, European umbrella organizations, and civil actors \u2013 a total of 44 representatives from member states and organizations. As an observer member of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), I represent the local and regional level in this body.<\/p>\n
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This is not a ceremonial position. GECES recommendations are integrated into the European Commission\u2019s policy documents, into the revision of the Social Economy Action Plan, and ultimately into the programming of the next MFF. What we represent there determines the conditions under which funding calls will be launched from 2028 onward.<\/p>\n
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Within the mid-term review of the next SEAP (Social Economy Action Plan), I am actively working to ensure that social innovation is not treated as a marginal program element, but is integrated as a horizontal approach into funding frameworks \u2013 including Romania\u2019s Partnership Plan.<\/p>\n
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What did I ask from the president \u2013 and why now?<\/p>\n
I submitted a proposal to President B\u00edr\u00f3 Barna Botond, requesting the necessary institutional mandate and the establishment of a Social Innovation Working Group. The proposal seeks delegation of authority in five areas:<\/p>\n
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Task 1<\/p>\n
Establishing the working group<\/p>\n
Launching coordinated work on behalf of the county with external partners \u2013 Civitas Foundation, Kanthaka Association, ADI Rural, Sapientia EMTE, Romania\u2019s NCC.<\/p>\n
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Task 2<\/p>\n
Strengthening GECES representation<\/p>\n
Ensuring institutional backing from the Harghita County Council for the work carried out in GECES and CoR \u2013 increasing the credibility of representing the regional dimension.<\/p>\n
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Task 3<\/p>\n
Establishing the Harghita Social Innovation Award<\/p>\n
An annual recognition for local social innovation initiatives \u2013 identifying replicable solutions, raising awareness, and providing EU-level visibility for the winners.<\/p>\n
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Task 4<\/p>\n
MFF positioning<\/p>\n
Preparing a position paper by the end of 2026 to ensure Harghita County\u2019s interests are included in the social innovation chapter of Romania\u2019s Partnership Plan.<\/p>\n
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Task 5<\/p>\n
Scaling good practices<\/p>\n
Submitting the Helyenvalo and Kanthaka models to the EU Social Innovation Match platform; adapting proven solutions from other regions to Harghita\u2019s context.<\/p>\n
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What will we miss if we don\u2019t act now?<\/p>\n
The negotiations for the MFF 2028\u20132034 will be decided in 2026\u20132027. The content of the social innovation chapter in Romania\u2019s Partnership Plan will be finalized during this period. If the county does not take part in these processes now, then:<\/p>\n
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The 2028 funding calls will start without well-prepared Harghita-based projects. The partnership plan will reflect the priorities of others. ESF+ transnational funds will be won by other regions. And the advantage represented by Harghita\u2019s already EU-recognized good practices will be lost.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFrom 2027 onwards, the implementation phase begins \u2013 at that point, there is nothing left to influence, only to apply for what others have already put together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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From the proposal \u00b7 Borboly Csaba, April 2026<\/p>\n
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