The Live Foundation, formerly known as the Invalidisäätiö, has traveled an impressive path since 1940. Originally established to rehabilitate war veterans, the foundation has evolved into a versatile expert in education and employment, with the goal of enabling every individual to participate fully in society. Today, the Live Foundation looks boldly and innovatively toward the future—especially in the field of education.
Innolive – The Umbrella for Renewal
The development work at the Live Foundation is guided by Innolive, which acts as an umbrella for all renewal efforts. Innolive is not just a project or a unit—it is a way of working that brings together clients, staff, and stakeholders to co-create inclusive and user-driven solutions. Innovation is not a separate experiment—it is part of everyday life and strategic development.
Futures Thinking and Micro-Credentials
At the Live Foundation, the future is shaped through futures design workshops. These workshops produce insights into phenomena that will significantly influence changes in the field and working life. In the 2024 workshops, a clear message emerged: skills development must be flexible, personalized, and timely. Micro-credentials—smaller units of learning than full qualifications—offer the opportunity to learn exactly what is needed, when it is needed. This thinking is also at the heart of the international ESIC project (European Social Innovation Campus), in which the Live Foundation is a proud partner.
ESIC – A Learning Campus for Social Innovation and Economy
The ESIC project develops educational programs focused on social innovation and the social economy—topics that are becoming increasingly central to Europe’s future. Social enterprises and social entrepreneurship are no longer on the margins; they are at the forefront of finding sustainable and impactful solutions to societal challenges.
The Live Foundation brings strong expertise in special education and inclusive learning to the ESIC project. Together with numerous European partners, we are building education that:
- increases understanding of the social economy,
- encourages social innovation,
- supports the skills of social entrepreneurs,
- and strengthens societal impact.
Shared Direction – Shared Impact
At the heart of the ESIC project is the idea of co-development and knowledge sharing. As has been said about the project:
“ESIC is ready to improve the cooperative and community economy in Europe.”
“ESIC includes a dream team that enhances education in the social economy.”
“The project partners complement each other with broad expertise and skills in social innovation, societal impact, sustainable development, and education.”
For the Live Foundation, this collaboration is not just a project—it is part of a strategic direction toward inclusive, impactful, and sustainable education. The future of education is not built alone, but together—and ESIC is a prime example of this.
Learn more about the ESIC project at: https://socialinnovationcampus.eu/
Author: Jaana Tukiainen, Project Manager at the Live Foundation, working on the ESIC project 📧 jaana.tukiainen(a)inlive.fi
Sources: Live Foundation website: https://www.livesaatio.fi/ and ESIC project website: https://socialinnovationcampus.eu/