CIRIEC International

What we do: CIRIEC International is a non-governmental international scientific organization dedicated to research and information dissemination on the public, social, and cooperative economy. It promotes scientific research and publishes high-quality articles focused on sectors serving the general and collective interest, including public policies, public enterprises, cooperatives, mutual societies, and the social economy. CIRIEC fosters collaboration between researchers and practitioners through its national sections in 13 countries, facilitating international exchanges and relevant actions in these fields.

Where we are located: The organization is headquartered in Liège, Belgium, at Rue Louvrex 14, 4000 Liège.

Short history: Founded in 1947 in Geneva, Switzerland, by economist Edgar Milhaud, CIRIEC originally bore the name International Research and Information Center for Collective Economy. In 1957, the headquarters moved to Liège, Belgium. Since then, CIRIEC has grown into a network of over 150 scientists worldwide, continuously advancing research in the social economy sector and related fields.

Organization & culture: CIRIEC values collaboration, inclusivity, and commitment to social and economic sustainability. Its culture emphasizes innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional development. The organization serves as a vibrant platform where enterprises, organizations, managers, researchers, and academics engage in mutual enrichment and dialogue.

Recent developments: CIRIEC celebrated its 75th anniversary recently, marking this milestone with publications reflecting its scientific contributions and evolution. It actively participates as an observer member of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy, aiming to enhance the visibility and recognition of the social economy globally.