Social sustainability is essential for sustainable development. A society that provides equal opportunities for social mobility and reduces marginalization creates the conditions to strengthen institutions, trust, and social capital, which in turn foster economic growth.

Crucial factors such as employment, education, access to social and health services, participation in cultural and community life, reduction of crime and deviance, entrepreneurship education, and workforce reskilling all contribute to stronger economic and social equity. They also reflect global, regional, and national policy objectives that are essential to promote inclusion and equal opportunities, while respecting the environment and supporting economic recovery.

However, as highlighted in the 2020 study “Social sustainability: concepts and benchmarks” carried out for the European Parliament, despite being a determinant of societal well-being and progress, the social dimension of sustainability has received significantly less attention in recent decades compared to its economic and environmental counterparts.

The research conducted in this area addresses social sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective, using both theoretical and quantitative methodologies from the social sciences. The team aims to advance the understanding of social sustainability, overcoming the challenges of measuring such an inherently multidimensional phenomenon.

Special attention is given to the role of actors in the so-called third sector, such as non-profit organizations, volunteer associations, NGOs, and others. The goal is to use research outcomes to develop a concrete infrastructure—a phygital center—capable of generating a tangible impact on social sustainability at the local level, with the prospect of future expansion nationwide.