Catalysing Social Innovation: Highlights from the ESF+ SI+ Social Innovation Forum

The European Competence Centre for Social Innovation orchestrated on 26th and 27th October the Social Innovation Forum in Brussels. In collaboration with the European Commission, this event celebrated the achievements of the first year of the ESF+ Social Innovation+ initiative, with a participation of over 235 members from across the European Union, along with an additional audience online.

The opening day set the tone with insights from Ruth Paserman, Director at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. She underlined the multifaceted nature of social innovation, a concept seamlessly weaving together beneficiaries, academics, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and funders. Neringa Poškutė, Head of Social Innovations and Transnational Initiatives Division at the European Social Fund Agency, emphasised that this forum provides a unique opportunity to share knowledge and build bridges that will help shape the future of social innovation across European Member States. She also stressed that we have come together from all corners of Europe to create a tapestry of innovation, bringing with us diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise, with a commitment. We a pursuing a common goal of making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities, Ms Poškutė said.

During the event, Louis Vervloet, Former Head of the ESF Managing Authority Flanders, shared insightful perspectives on social innovation and experimentation. His presentation covered challenges, opportunities, pitfalls, competences, partnerships, and experiences in Flanders. Following this, on the second day, Miquel de Paladella, CEO and co-founder of ‘UpSocial,’ took the stage, offering seven lessons for effective social innovation. His insights emphasised demand-driven solutions, understanding root causes, and the gradual yet transformative nature of societal changes. Together, their presentations enriched the discussions and provided a comprehensive exploration of social innovation practices and principles.

Panel discussions explored several themes in more details. The ‘Synergies and Cross-Cutting Topics’ panel delved into collaborative approaches among different thematic areas, providing strategies to enhance synergy. Meanwhile, the ‘Social Innovation in Different Communities of Practice (CoPs) Thematic Areas’ panel dissected the current social innovation landscape, identifying common barriers and showcasing successful strategies within diverse thematic areas like employment, education and skills, social inclusion, migrant integration, and material support. These discussions reflected the forum's commitment to fostering collaboration, overcoming challenges, and driving innovation in the dynamic field of social innovation.

The Social Innovation Forum featured five workshops, each dedicated to the thematic areas of the respective CoP. These hands-on sessions provided a focused exploration, promoting collaboration and generating ideas within each CoP's specific topics. From validating findings on social inclusion challenges to reviewing achievements in employment, education and skills, these workshops served as hubs of knowledge exchange. Discussions on implementing accompanying measures, best practices in material support, and insights into migrant integration stages enriched the forum. In the realm of social innovation, key messages were shared, and collaborative brainstorming sessions aimed to enhance priorities and facilitate the scaling-up of successful initiatives.

Asta Jurgutė, Head of the Social Innovations Competence Group at the European Social Fund Agency, concluded the event by summarising a highly productive year. The SI community, consisting of over 500 members across five thematic CoPs, will continue its active and collaborative role of contributing to a prosperous future of social innovation in the EU.

In conclusion, the Social Innovation Forum, a cornerstone event within the ESF+ SI+ initiative, showcased the strength of collaboration, the power of thematic focus, and the commitment to driving positive social change across Europe. Social innovation plays a pivotal role in driving positive social change and promoting the well-being of communities and individuals. By fostering creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration, it helps address a wide range of challenges and contributes to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient society.

Social Innovation Forum 2023

Social Innovation Forum 1st and 2nd day

Panel discussions

Keynote speeches

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