The European Social Innovation Campus (ESIC) project is generating groundbreaking insights into social innovation education through a rich and diverse dataset collected between 2023 and 2027. This data forms the foundation of our ongoing research and reports, offering valuable knowledge for policymakers, educators, and practitioners across Europe.
1. Systematic Literature Review
From an initial pool of over 36,000 academic papers, our team meticulously selected 154 high-quality articles from leading journals for detailed analysis. This comprehensive review helped us develop a robust social innovation competency framework, guiding future curriculum development.
2. Interviews and Focus Groups
Together with 15 ESIC partners, we conducted 69 interviews and 34 focus groups across nine countries: Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Romania, Spain, and Ukraine. Engaging 289 stakeholders — including entrepreneurs, managers, intrapreneurs, government officials, researchers, coaches, network leaders, educators, and funders — provided diverse perspectives. These rich discussions informed our insights on pedagogies and stakeholder profiles essential for social innovation education.
3. Survey
In September 2025, we launched our first survey targeting practitioners, teachers, and students of social innovation. This survey aims to uncover mismatches in expectations about which competencies are most important, taught, and delivered, helping to further refine educational approaches.
Become part of our research and complete the survey
👉 the Practitioner Survey
👉 the Educator Survey
👉 the Student Survey
We extend our sincere gratitude to the research committees in each country. Their support in recruiting partners, providing feedback on research tools, and ensuring the relevance of the work has been invaluable.