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)
