DEMS (Discovering Effective Management Solutions for Social Service Providers in the field of Disability) is an Erasmus+ funded initiative studying management challenges in social economy services, explore & share innovative management methodologies, test horizontal & vertical structures, agile & self-managed teams, with the ultimate goal to support the transition to effective, mission-aligned management models.

Social economy organisations—such as cooperatives, associations, mutual societies, and social enterprises—are cornerstone actors in tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges, yet many social service providers, particularly those working with persons with disabilities, are struggling to keep pace with the scale and complexity of their own growth. Over the past decades, these entities have evolved into large-scale social enterprises managing substantial budgets and hundreds of staff, often while still relying on informal, volunteer-driven or outdated management models that no longer align with their mission or operational reality. This lack of organisational and cultural innovation has made it difficult to manage complexity, sustain motivated and cohesive teams, and consistently deliver high-quality services, revealing the need to balance participatory, value-driven governance with selective vertical structures that enhance efficiency. In response, the DEMS project seeks to equip social economy managers with practical tools and new management paradigms that professionalise the sector without undermining its social mission, promoting autonomy, self-management, worker well-being, and agile team practices. Building on the proven experience of the Spanish “TooL Lab” initiative funded under NextGenerationEU, the project will analyse management challenges, identify and share innovative hybrid management methodologies, and chart concrete pathways toward more effective, mission-aligned organisational models for services addressing disadvantaged groups.