The Five Strokes That Make the Canvas of the Third Sector Great

This contribution explores the Third Sector through an artistic metaphor, identifying five essential "strokes"—solidarity, leadership, sustainability, quality, and innovation—as the defining features that elevate it from functional to transformational. Far from flawless, the sector is portrayed as a dynamic, human-centric system, rooted in civic responsibility and social impact rather than profit. Legal, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of each stroke are analysed. Ultimately, arguing that the Third Sector’s greatness lies in its capacity to reinvent itself whilst still fostering collective well-being.