Innovating for Social Change: Key Outcomes from the Social Innovation Forum 2024

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On 1 – 2 October, the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, in collaboration with the European Commission, hosted the Social Innovation Forum 2024 in Brussels, Belgium.

A total of 275 participants, including social innovators, ESF+ Managing Authorities and Intermediate Bodies, representatives from the European Commission, NGOs, project promoters, experts, and other stakeholders from across EU Member States, as well as an online audience, gathered for this important event under the ESF+ Social Innovation+ initiative.

This year, the Social Innovation Forum 2024 focused on fostering collaboration and strengthening links among ESF+ stakeholders and exploring social innovation for skills development.

Mario Nava, Director General of DG EMPL at the European Commission, opened the Forum by emphasising the importance of innovation in addressing Europe’s socio-economic challenges: ‘We need new ideas, new ways of thinking, and bolder solutions. My team and I are here to support you by connecting innovators, scaling successful initiatives, and fostering cross-border cooperation.’

Ruth Passerman, Director of Funds, Programming, and Implementation at DG EMPL, highlighted on the Forum’s evolving role: ‘Last year was about getting to know each other. This year, the Social Innovation Forum is becoming more concrete, with real, actionable ideas and partnerships being formed between social innovators and policymakers.’

Riikka Torppa, Head of Unit at DG Employment, underlined the need for adaptability and collaboration in social innovation: ‘Creating a space for trial and error is crucial. Social innovation is about togetherness and patience. Tailoring solutions to specific circumstances takes time, dedication, and effort from all involved.’

Lina Nevinskienė, Director of the European Social Fund Agency, noted: ‘The future of social innovation depends on our teamwork, vision, and determination. And I am confident that together, we can achieve extraordinary things.’

Neringa Poškutė, Head of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, European Social Fund Agency, reflected on the importance of the event and its mission: ‘The European Competence Centre for Social Innovation is the concept that brings us all together. I am excited to unveil how we collectively shape and nurture the European Union’s social innovation ecosystem. Our mission is to develop and strengthen ecosystems for social innovation across the EU, empowering these ecosystems to create solutions that can grow and be shared across EU regions, amplifying our impact.’

Building Skills for the Future: Nurturing social innovators through education and collaboration

One of the Social Innovation Forum’s key themes was the importance of skills development for social innovators. The keynote ‘Completing the Social Innovation Puzzle: How to Build Functional Ecosystems and Address the Skills Gap’ addressed by Ciprian Stănescu, President of Social Innovation Solutions, discussed the ‘Social Innovation Puzzle’ and explored the necessary skills for social innovators, likening them to rare ‘white tigers’. He outlined essential qualities, including visionary problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and a focus on systemic change: ‘To change the system, you must first understand it. Social innovators must not only address existing problems but anticipate future challenges, making systemic thinking crucial.’

The importance of ethical leadership and technical expertise was pointed out in the presentation ‘Lessons Learned in Training Tomorrow’s Gamechangers’ by Aymeric Marmorat, Director of the Bachelor ACT’s Programme in the ecological and societal transition sciences at ESSEC and CY Cergy Paris University. He stressed the need to build multidisciplinary teams equipped with both technical and ethical skills to tackle societal challenges. ‘Our students must develop not only technical abilities but also an ethical understanding of balancing economic, social, and environmental factors,’ Aymeric stated.

Following this keynote speaker’s address, students Salmata and Alicia from the Bachelor ACT Programme shared their personal inspiring reflections. Salmata highlighted the dual focus on hard and soft skills, noting: ‘What makes this programme unique is that it teaches both technical and interpersonal skills, which are invaluable when entering the professional world.’ Alicia added: ‘The programme helps us find our life path through introspection and personal coaching, empowering us to be able to take on significant responsibilities.’

Following Salmata’s and Alicia’s reflections, the keynote was succeeded by a short complementary intervention from Philippe Eiselein, Senior Researcher at the Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship at Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Brussels, Belgium). Eiselein presented the main goals and preliminary findings from the Erasmus+ project ESIC, which aims to develop a European curriculum for social innovation between 2023 and 2027.

He emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the complex challenges society faces: ‘If we think about  all the social, environmental, political, and economic issues that we encounter, there is something deeply ingrained in them that will require all of us to step up and take on a role. We must contribute with our knowledge, our skills, and our attitudes. Interdisciplinarity is indeed at the core of social innovation. Only together can we change a societal problem.’

From Social Innovation Match (SIM) database to showcasing promising social innovations at the Social Innovation Forum 2024

This year, a unique initiative was launched, inviting stakeholders to nominate promising practices from the Social Innovation Match (SIM) database for the opportunity to showcase their work at the Social Innovation Forum 2024.  

After a rigorous validation process, 69 nominations from 19 EU Member States were received, leading to the participation of more than 30 social innovators at the Social Innovation Forum 2024 for the first time, with five of them presenting on stage.  

Among them were two promising practices focused on making a real impact by helping individuals integrate into the labour market through innovative approaches:  

The Craftsmen Design (Poland), presented by Marcin Bielicki, sets a new standard in vocational education for woodworking. It guides students through the entire production process from design to delivery using a blend of collaborative teaching and multimedia resources to enhance learning.  

Salary Instead of Pocket Money (Austria), represented by a short video – empowers people with disabilities in Austria by offering personalised small-group training. The programme builds essential skills such as self-confidence, job readiness, and public transport navigation, while creating tailored action plans for each participant. 

Two other social innovations presented on stage aimed to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations through accessible support services and community-driven initiatives:  

The Zekki Digital Self-Assessment Tool (Finland), represented by Reija Paananen, supports young people’s well-being through a mobile-friendly platform. Zekki helps users assess their situation, find encouragement, and connect with support services, making it easier for youth to reflect and seek help.  

José Afonso represented Just a Change (Portugal), which was founded in response to the housing crisis, focusing on renovating homes for those in need. The programme uses three different volunteer-based models to serve various communities and locations, each with a distinct purpose.  

The fifth social innovation, presented by Fergal Colon, was the TimeBank (Ireland); it reimagines volunteerism by encouraging those who receive support to recognise their potential and give back. This model empowers vulnerable communities to engage more actively, encouraging a sense of contribution and connection.  

Social Innovation Market, a dedicated space for participants to showcase their innovative social initiatives, was a highlight of the Social Innovation Forum. It featured over 30 social innovators and provided a unique opportunity for exchanging ideas, fostering mutual learning, capacity building, and networking.  

As Ruth Passerman, Director of Funds, Programming and Implementation, DG EMPL, European Commission, noted: ‘The Social Innovation Market was a success, as it facilitated collaboration between participants who discovered they were working on similar initiatives in different countries. This cross-border exchange of ideas is crucial to scaling up innovations across the EU.’

Panel Discussion: ESF+ programming provides a safe place for social innovators to fail, learn, and succeed

The panel discussion focused on three main themes. First, it addressed the creation of a culture of social innovation within EU administrations. Second, it provided practical tips from innovators to enhance social innovation practices in EU institutions. Third, it explored the role of the Social Innovation Forum and the Communities of Practice (CoPs) in fostering innovation within administrations.

The panel brought together a diverse range of participants and perspectives, all united in aiming to find solutions to transform social innovation projects into reality. The discussion featured Ruth Passerman, Director for Funds, Programming and Implementation at DG EMPL, European Commission; Ciprian Stănescu, President of Social Innovation Solutions, Romania; Amal Chevreau, Acting Head of the Social Economy and Innovation Unit, OECD; Armelle Ledan, Lead Thematic Expert for the CoP on Social Innovation; and Hanna Kądziela, Head of the Social Innovation Unit at the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Poland.

Hanna Kądziela highlighted a key advantage of ESF+ programming, emphasising how it provides a safe environment where innovation is encouraged, and failure is an accepted acceptable part of the learning process. She shared a practical example from Poland:

Innovation is always about people, and with people. It’s important to note that this approach is highly motivating for staff and institutions, allowing them to explore new ways of working. Within social innovation projects, you are allowed to fail, and you can take risks. ESF+ programmes also provide a crucial tool by enabling the development of new solutions. When these solutions prove effective, they can be scaled and integrated into mainstream priorities within the Operational Programme (OP). Although this can be challenging, we have done it on several occasions.

For example, in 2015, Poland faced a significant issue with access to psychiatric support for children and young people, which had a profound impact on their education. In response to an initiative led by a small group of parents, experts, and two small organisations, we launched a call for proposals with a limited budget, offering €17,000 per model. We tasked participants with showing us how to change the system. As a result of this small initiative, we implemented a new support model in 11 community-based centres across Poland. Previously, psychiatric care was centred entirely around hospital treatment.

Four years later, the Ministry of Health adopted the solutions we had tested and used this experience to begin reforming the system. While we no longer fund the reform, we continue to support its implementation through mainstream ESF projects. We train staff, develop diagnostic programmes, and contribute to the ongoing reform.’

Each participant contributed unique perspectives, insightful remarks, and complemented one another’s ideas, enriching the overall discussion.

Fostering collaboration and skills development through workshops: Key highlights

During the Social Innovation Forum, two series of workshops tackled key challenges in social innovation. These sessions brought together thematic experts and participants, offering the opportunity to share insights, develop strategies, and reflect on practical examples.

The first workshop session was dedicated to five Communities of Practice (CoPs) and the ALMA Network. The second session of workshops focused on developing skills in social innovation across various themes. After that, thematic experts from five Communities of Practice (CoPs) and ALMA network discussed the insights from the workshops.

Armelle Ledan, a lead thematic expert for the CoP on Social Innovation, engaged ESF+ Managing Authorities and National Competence Centres in a collective exploration of learning needs. This will help shape the 2025 work programme, with a focus on resources to support social innovation and the importance of transnational cooperation. In the session ‘Sharing Success: Scaling up Social Innovation Across Europe’, successful examples such as ALMA, Zero Long-Term Unemployment Territories, and Papillon were discussed. Armelle emphasised that beyond technical solutions, success in social innovation depends on personal commitment, patience, and belief in one’s solution: ‘Think “why not?” instead of “why?” and try!’

Luk Zelderloo, a lead thematic expert for the CoP on Social Inclusion, led a workshop reviewing two years of progress. The CoP has developed valuable resources, including toolboxes, which he urged should be more widely promoted and used. In the session ‘Don’t Do It Alone! Exploring Innovative Approaches to Implement the Partnership Principle’, Luk stressed that true collaboration is key to the success of social inclusion initiatives. He advised participants to plan ahead, engage partners genuinely, and prioritise communication from the outset.

Rimgailė Baltutė, a lead thematic expert, presented key insights from the CoP on Material Support workshop, which focused on the challenges posed by digital transformation. Participants identified barriers such as limited access to technology, complex systems, and digital literacy gaps. To address these issues, the group developed strategies aimed at securing resources, improving access, and offering training. The session also highlighted innovative approaches to these challenges. Another workshop,Innovating Partnerships: Enhancing End Beneficiary Participation in Social Interventions’, showcased examples of how end beneficiaries are actively involved in shaping social support at various levels, from community councils to formal consultative bodies, leading to more meaningful interventions.

Agota Scharle, a lead thematic expert for the CoP on Employment, Education, and Skills, provided an overview of recent activities, focusing on the role of NGOs in delivering training to vulnerable groups. The session highlighted the importance of flexibility in NGO services and discussed how ESF+ and public agencies can create conditions that enable closer collaboration with NGOs, ensuring this flexibility is preserved. In the session ‘Finding Out What Really Works in Social Innovation: Why We Need Impact Evaluation and How to Get Reliable Evidence?’, participants explored the importance of reliable impact evaluation, addressing common concerns around using counterfactual methods. Ethical issues, the complexity of data collection, and the limitations of quantitative methods in capturing softer outcomes were key points of discussion. A combined qualitative and quantitative approach was recommended as an effective solution for measuring impact.

Nadia Sacoor, a thematic expert for the CoP on Migrant Integration, reflected on the workshop’s key outcome: creating opportunities for CoP members to exchange experiences and collaborate with organisations working on migrant needs. During the session ‘Approaching and Understanding Diversity: Strategies for Social Services to Engage Diverse Audiences’, participants engaged in exercises exploring their connection to diversity and exchanged ideas on how to approach it within their organisations. The workshop introduced the pillars needed for building a long-term organisational approach to diversity and inclusion, offering a starting point for further investment in these initiatives.

Bettina Reuter, a thematic expert for the ALMA Network, led a workshop summarising the 2024 Work Programme and discussing future challenges. Participants shared practical examples of progress and requested more opportunities to exchange best practices and create subgroups within the network.

These workshops provided valuable insights and strategies for addressing the evolving challenges in social innovation, promoting collaboration, as well as inclusive and effective interventions across Europe.

To conclude, the Social Innovation Forum 2024 achieved its goals of fostering collaboration and highlighting the crucial role of skills development in social innovation. Through keynotes, workshops, and practical showcases, the Forum offered valuable insights into the future of social innovation in Europe. The event underscored the importance of transnational cooperation and the need for tailored solutions to address the unique challenges faced by different regions.

As Neringa Poškutė, Head of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation, European Social Fund Agency remarked: ‘All of this work is the result of our collective effort. By “our,” I mean our dedicated partners, colleagues, experts, professionals, researchers, and policymakers. Together, we are activating innovations for social change. Together, we can make a difference!’