Training course for secondary school and vocational school teachers.
This programme provides an integrated and basic overview of the social economy, social enterprises, and social innovation, combining core concepts with practical tools. It begins with complex challenges and systems thinking, and introduces key reference frameworks and policy perspectives. Participants develop stakeholder engagement skills to analyse actors and interests and to build effective partnerships.
The course applies design thinking to frame needs and to ideate, prototype, and test impact-oriented solutions. It then explores social enterprise models, governance features, and the foundations of economic sustainability, including options in social finance and accountability.
The programme introduces approaches to impact evaluation, from theory of change to indicators and strategies for scaling impact. It also addresses the twin transition—green and digital—highlighting the role of digital tools and early uses of AI in impact initiatives.
The course concludes with a co-design lab to translate the content into a training pathway that can be delivered to students.
Course info
Language: Italian
Location: Italy
Course type: Hybrid
For: Lifelong learner
Duration: From May/Jun to December 2026
Who is it For?
Teachers working in upper secondary schools or vocational education and training institutions.
Why Join?
To acquire knowledge, tools, and teaching methodologies that will enable teachers to equip their students with the skills needed to design innovative solutions to real-world challenges in a creative and interdisciplinary way. Participating in the ESIC training empowers teachers to inspire their students to become the changemakers and leaders of tomorrow’s complex society.
Programme structure:
- 6 thematic modules + 1 co-design module
- 5 months of learning and development
- Approximately 35-40 hours in total
- Blended delivery: approx 25 hours online (synchronous/asynchronous) via learning platform Howspace + 11 hours in-person meetings.
Pedagogical approach:
Participants will engage through:
- Interactive and problem-solving sessions
- Collaborative activities and peer feedback
- Ongoing evaluation and reflection
Programme modules:
Module 1: Foundations of Social Economy and Social Innovation. Wicked problems, systems thinking, and social economy policy frameworks
Module 2: Stakeholder Engagement. Mapping actors and interests, building partnerships, managing complex relationships
Module 3: Design for Social Innovation. Design thinking to ideate, prototype, and test impact-driven solutions
Module 4: Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business Models. Forms, governance, and sustainability: from the Social Business Model Canvas to social finance
Module 5: Social Impact Evaluation. Theory of change, indicators, and scaling strategies for impact
Module 6: Green and Digital Transition for the Social Economy. The twin transition: sustainability, digital tools, and early uses of AI for impact initiatives
Module 7: Co-design of a Training Programme for Students on Social Economy and Innovation. Final lab: translating the content into a “replicable” programme for students
Where and When?
The pilot will run from May/Jun to December 2026
The programme format includes:
- Online learning and collaboration via Howspace
- X in-person workshops in Trento
How to Join?
People will register for the training through an online form (Google or Howspace) after being informed via formal letters sent by the PAT to schools, as well as through news published on the Trentino education system portal and by other affiliated organizations, and even local social media (FB and Twitter).