We would like to inform you that the Call for Contributions for the 5th International Conference Social Solidarity and the Commons in Lisbon is now open.

The conference will take place from the 26th to 28th of November 2025 at the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Iscte) in Lisbon, Portugal, with the main theme “Collapse and regeneration: Community-led initiatives prefiguring liveable futures“. The aim is to co-create an open, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary space for exchange of knowledge and socio-political experiences on new approaches to economic organisation and governance based in solidarity, cooperation and common ownership from across the world.

We are looking for contributions exploring the role of CLIs in the rebuilding of livelihoods and institutions in the following contexts (7 thematic fields):

  1. The aftermath of environmental disasters.
  2. Armed conflicts and peacebuilding initiatives.
  3. Weakening of the rule of law and emergence of parallel structures of governance based on organized crime.
  4. Culture wars, political polarization and radicalization (namely in the framework of the re-emergence of the far-right and threats to the rights of women, girls and the LGBTQI+ population).
  5. Supporting grassroots resistance to authoritarianism, marginalization and oppression, namely through embodied activism and trauma-informed practices.
  6. Promoting grassroots-led transnational cooperation in a context of increased isolationism and fragmentation of the world order. 
  7. Problematizing current trends in the application and usage of information technologies for collective action, as well as promoting their democratization and accountability.

The call and submission’s reception is open until 31st May to researchers, activists, public officials and social entrepreneurs involved in social and solidarity economy, governance of the commons and new social movements (e.g. NGOs, non-profit organisations, networks, activist movements) in different parts of the world.  For this edition, SSE is accepting paper abstracts (research papers or experience reports by practitioners or activists), session panels and/or book presentation proposals on topics relevant to the seven conference themes.

The key submission guideline and the full call are  available at https://ssecommons.cei.iscte-iul.pt/call-for-contributions/. The keynote speakers for the 5th edition will be published soon.

Important dates 
Opening of registrations – July 1st 2025
Deadline for submission of proposals – May 31st 2025
Notification of contributors – June 30th 
Deadline for registration (conference presenters) – October 6th
Publication of final program – October 15th
Deadline for registration (non-presenters) – October 25th
Beginning of the conference – November 26th
Submission of full paper for peer review and publication: January 15th, 2026

Conference registration will open July 1st at https://ssecommons.cei.iscte-iul.pt/registration/ and Early Bird fees will be available until 6th September.

  • Professors/lecturers/postdoctoral or senior researchers/other professionals 
    • € 195, 00 (Early Bird) Until 6th September
    • € 230, 00 (Regular Fee) After 6th September
  • Students (Proof of enrolment in a higher education program required) 
    • € 95, 00 (Early Bird) Until 6th September
    • € 130, 00 (Regular Fee) After 6th September
  • Representatives of NGOs and other civil society organizations (Proof required)
    • € 95, 00 (Early Bird) Until 6th September
    • € 130, 00 (Regular Fee) After 6th September
  • Volunteer-based community-led Initiatives and social movement organizations (proof required) – FREE for one representative of the organization + €30,00 for each additional representative.
  • Registration is FREE for Master’s and Ph.D. students of Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon (Proof required).