Activities

In June – July 2023, the InnoSocial consortium partners held Stakeholder Discussion Panels, gathering a total of more than 70 representatives of different project stakeholder groups. Among the participants were university faculty, management and administrative staff members; PhD students; representatives of business, NGOs, public bodies, and schools; grassroots innovators & social entrepreneurs. All Discussion Panels were aimed to present the InnoSocial Toolkit for Design and Delivery of Inclusive Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship to stakeholders and get insights into the following questions:

• Options for embedding Inclusive Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (II&SE) in higher education
• Content of II&SE education
• Teaching/learning approaches and methods used in II&SE education
• Strategies for involving stakeholders in II&SE education
• Approaches and methods for assessing the impact of II&SE education

The participants in the Stakeholder Discussion Panels were asked to share their experience and expert opinion related to each question, and the findings were used to improve the InnoSocial Toolkit.

Stakeholder Discussion Panels held in Poland

On June 15, 2023, InCrea Foundation conducted two panel discussions:

• The first was held at the International Academy of Applied Sciences in Lomza. It was attended by 7 university staff members;
• The second was held in Primary School No. 10 in Ostroleka. It was attended by 14 stakeholders representing mainly non-tertiary educational institutions.

During the meetings, the InnoSocial Toolkit was presented and its content was discussed. The discussion confirmed that the Toolkit meets the needs not only of educational institutions at tertiary level, but also at lower levels - secondary, vocational and even primary schools.

On July 14, 2023, the University of Social Sciences (SAN) held an online discussion on the InnoSocial Toolkit, gathering 13 stakeholders from several universities and enterprises. The participants appreciated the efforts put into the development of the Toolkit, while at the same time drawing attention to several key elements related to the implementation of the forthcoming InnoSocial course, both in the external environment and in the learning organisations themselves. 

Stakeholder Discussion Panels held in Lithuania

Vilnius University of Applied Sciences (VIKO) held a stakeholder discussion panel on June 15, 2023. In this thought-provoking event, 16 participants engaged in an active discussion that explored the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. The panellists shared their experiences, insights and success stories, providing diverse perspectives on how inclusive innovations and social entrepreneurship can drive positive change and create sustainable solutions for the most pressing social and environmental challenges.

Stakeholder Discussion Panels held in Bulgaria

Tetra Solutions held a series of face-to-face and online stakeholder meetings in the period of June 15 - July 14, 2023, to validate the InnoSocial Toolkit and gather insights on the issues addressed in the Toolkit. Among the participants were academic and administrative staff members of higher education institutions, who teach innovation and entrepreneurship courses, do research in the field of II&SE, and provide start-up mentorship to students. As a result of these meetings, Tetra documented a good practice of embedding inclusive innovation and social entrepreneurship in higher education. Click here to read it.

Stakeholder Discussion Panels held in Italy

The University of Pavia (UNIPAVIA) team also conducted several face-to-face and online stakeholder meetings from June 23 to July 30, 2023. The main takeaways of these meetings are:

• II&SE is crucial for bridging economic disparities and addressing societal needs;
• II&SE could be integrated into higher education through specific courses or within existing sustainability programs. Intensive initiatives like summer schools and competitions could attract students and hone their skills;
• Practical learning methods like hackathons, case studies, and service-learning were recommended for effective II&SE education. Guest speakers and on-site visits could enhance understanding and engagement;
• Involving local authorities with rich data on marginalized groups is essential for enhancing II&SE education in HEIs.