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ESIC Micro-Pilots on Social Innovation

This pilot consists of a series of micro-pilots embedded within three second-semester higher education courses at Odisee University of Applied Sciences. Each micro-pilot takes the form of a focused 2–3 hour interactive session using selected ESIC learning modules. Collectively, the pilots provide students with hands-on exposure to social innovation concepts, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable partnership dynamics.

The pilot integrates ESIC content into existing curricula (e.g. Research Methods, Sustainability, and a business-oriented course), ensuring contextual relevance while maintaining alignment with ESIC’s overarching learning objectives. Learning activities combine short theoretical inputs, guided reflection, and applied exercises supported by the ESIC Howspace platform.

Across the three pilots, students experience a coherent learning trajectory equivalent to approximately 1 ECTS, with structured feedback moments and reflective reporting contributing to WP4 learning outcomes.

Who is it For?

The pilot targets second-semester higher education students enrolled in business, sustainability, and social innovation–related programmes at Odisee. Participants are students who are developing competencies for careers inbusiness management.

Students typically have a foundational understanding of business concepts and are ready to deepen their skills through applied, practice-oriented learning. No prior professional experience in social innovation is required, but students are expected to engage actively in discussions and reflection.

The pilot is designed for cohorts of approximately ±60 students in total, spread across three courses.

Why Join?

Participants gain practical insight into how social innovation and partnerships function in real-world contexts, going beyond theory. The pilot allows students to work with ESIC modules that reflect current European practices and challenges in social innovation ecosystems. Students benefit from:

Exposure to ESIC’s European-level content and frameworks
Interactive, applied learning rather than purely lecture-based teaching
Skills development in collaboration, stakeholder engagement and reflection
Experience with digital learning tools used in international innovation projects

The micro-pilot format ensures high learning impact with limited time investment, while still contributing meaningfully to students’ academic trajectory.

Programme structure:

Three micro-pilots (2–3h each) embedded in existing courses
Supported by asynchronous engagement via ESIC Howspace
Reflection and feedback moments included

Pedagogical approach

Experiential and interactive learning
Case-based discussion and guided reflection
Integration of academic concepts with applied exercises

Programme modules

ESIC modules on social innovation
Stakeholder engagement and partnership dynamics
Adapted to course contexts (Research Methods, Sustainability, Business)

Frequently asked questions

A pilot generally refers to a small-scale, preliminary test or trial run of a project, product, or process before a full rollout. Its purpose is to validate assumptions, identify potential issues, and gather feedback in a controlled environment. In this case we are testing the co-designed content with Design Thinking Methodology in a participatory design phase.

The ESIC Accelerator offers valuable networking and mentorship opportunities. Participants receive a certificate that validates the potential of the social innovation. The program concludes with a final event day, providing you and your project with visibility at a European level.

No, there are no cash grants associated with the ESIC Accelerator Progamme.

Howspace is an AI-powered digital collaboration and social‑learning platform designed to facilitate meaningful engagement and collective sense‑making at scale. ESIC is using howspace as the learning platform for all its pilots.

No, individual written feedback will not be available for programme applicants.

Don’t worry – you don’t need to produce a high quality or expensive video. You can use a smartphone or tablet. We just want to hear you telling the story of your project in 2 – 3 mins max. Please tell us:

● who you are
● why you are applying for the award
● the problem/issue your project is trying to solve
● how you will do that
● how your solution is innovative or creative.

Course info

Language:

Dutch

Location:

Belgium

Hybrid

For:

Student

Duration:

February – June 2026

Partner

Odisee University of Applied Sciences

Website

Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Odisee) has over 11.000 students and approximately 1200 staff members across six different campuses spread over the country. These are dynamic centers of education, applied research, and social services. Odisee is a member of the Catholic University of Louvain Association, a co-operation of higher education institutions led by the largest and oldest university of Flanders. This open and dynamic network links Universities of Applied Sciences across Flanders and Brussels with Louvain University. The Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (CenSE) at Odisee conducts practice-oriented scientific research to implement sustainable entrepreneurship in SMEs and family businesses. It aims to create social value by translating its research into actionable insights, tools, and educational materials for direct application in the business world. CenSE emphasizes co-creation to foster connections and partnerships aligned with the SDGs and the 2030 Sustainability Agenda of the United Nations. Additionally, it plays a pivotal role in education by developing training modules and tools for sustainable entrepreneurship, targeting not only students but also educators and researchers for continuous skill development. CenSE stands out as a vital component of our institution, focusing on social entrepreneurship as one of the five key research pillars. This center emphasizes human-centered, value-driven development, and is renowned for its expertise in sustainable business practices, innovative education, and socio-economic sustainability. CenSE’s dedication to social entrepreneurship aligns closely with the goals of ESIC.