Many of the people currently leading cooperatives, foundations, associations, and work integration social enterprises have taken on their roles without ever receiving specific training in management and leadership. They have learned by doing, supporting teams and making strategic decisions along the way, while navigating an increasingly complex environment: generational transitions, rapid digitalization, growing pressure to demonstrate impact, and the constant need to ensure the financial sustainability of their projects.
This October, we concluded the first edition of VÈRTEX, the advanced leadership and management program for the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and the Third Sector, developed by Tandem Social in partnership with TecnoCampus and Mondragon Unibertsitatea, with the support of the Government of Catalonia.
Leadership Training Rooted in SSE Values
Much of the management and leadership training available today comes from the conventional business world and does not reflect the democratic governance structures or the values that define the SSE. VÈRTEX was created precisely to address this gap: to provide a free, high-level learning experience designed by and for the sector, aimed at directors, coordinators, and management professionals who need to strengthen their ability to lead change while staying true to their organizations’ values and ways of working.
VÈRTEX was structured around five thematic seminars:
- Strategic Thinking
- Leadership and Change Management
- Participation and Social Innovation
- Positioning and Sales in the SSE
- Digitalization and AI Applied to the SSE
The program combined in-person sessions, virtual learning, and asynchronous activities. Each seminar drew on real cases from SSE organizations, allowing participants to apply what they learned directly to the strategic challenges facing their own organizations. Throughout the program, the professional community also remained active beyond the sessions, sharing questions, insights, and resources.
At Tandem Social, we led the overall design and coordination of the program, as well as developing and delivering seminars such as Strategic Thinking and Leadership and Change Management. The program concluded on October 22 with a closing event at Bloc4BCN, featuring an institutional welcome and a roundtable discussion on leadership and generational transitions with prominent representatives from the sector.
A Leadership Network That Remains Active Beyond the Program
VÈRTEX strengthens the management capabilities of participating organizations, helping them improve their strategic planning, manage change, and prepare for the generational transitions they are already facing. But its impact extends beyond individual organizations: the program has created a network of sector leaders who share challenges and insights and remain connected after the sessions have ended. With a second edition already confirmed for next year, VÈRTEX has established itself as an ongoing professional development program for the SSE.
