As part of the ESIC Project’s mission to advance social innovation across Europe, a pilot training-of-trainers session was recently held in Võru County, Estonia. The event brought together educators, consultants, and local development actors to strengthen their ability to foster impact-driven entrepreneurship in the region.
Over two intensive days, participants from the Development Centre of Võru County, Võru County Education and Technology Centre (EWERS), TSENTER – The Centre of Competence for Wood Processing and Furniture Manufacturing, the Unemployment Office, local NGOs, and regional secondary schools worked side by side to explore fresh approaches and practical methods in social innovation.
Hands-On Learning with Innovation Tools
The programme was highly interactive, blending theory with applied exercises. Core topics included:
- Using Personas and the Double Diamond framework to understand innovation journeys
- Problem definition and purposeful idea generation
- Prototyping, testing, and scaling solutions in practice
- Identifying funding opportunities for social innovators
- Assessing outcomes through the Theory of Change
- Building lasting initiatives with the Social Enterprise Canvas
Ahead of the training, participants created individual portfolios describing how they already integrate social innovation into their work. These portfolios were then reviewed and discussed during the sessions, providing space for peer exchange and tailored feedback.
What Participants Said
Reflections from attendees revealed both confidence gained and immediate applicability:
“I could finally connect scattered ideas into a clearer structure. Seeing how our work relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals gave me new motivation to think globally.”
“I now feel much more confident with the key concepts of social innovation. These insights will definitely guide my upcoming projects.”
“The practical exercises—especially on idea generation and problem framing—were the most valuable for me.”
Looking Forward
Beyond tools and frameworks, the training offered renewed energy and a stronger sense of purpose. As trainers and consultants return to their schools, organisations, and networks, they will spread these insights further, creating ripple effects throughout Võru County and beyond.
This pilot session also provided important lessons for future transnational Training of Trainers programmes, helping us fine-tune methods and adapt content to better support educators across Europe.
The ESIC Project is proud to contribute to this growing ecosystem, ensuring that social innovation skills take root locally while connecting to broader European ambitions.