The ESIC project team recently participated in ISIRC 2024, held in Bern, Switzerland. Our session in the Social Innovation Education stream highlighted the vital role education plays in driving social innovation forward, and the valuable feedback we received has inspired us to continue our work with renewed focus and energy.
At the core of any movement lies education—an essential force that equips people with the tools to think critically, collaborate, and inspire change. This was a central theme during the 16th International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC) in Bern, Switzerland, where the ESIC project team held a panel discussion as a part of the SI Education stream. As educators and researchers, we recognise that social innovation isn’t just about ideas—it’s about fostering learning environments that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and community engagement.
One of the greatest privileges of the ESIC project is the opportunity to help SI educators around Europe and the whole wide world connect, exchange, and innovate together. The ISIRC 2024 conference provided the perfect platform to dive into insightful discussions on how education can nurture and incubate social innovation. From keynote presentations, like Sophie Bacq, Flor Avelino and Gorgi Krlev, to dynamic panel discussions, the event reaffirmed our belief in the transformative potential of education.
Valuable Feedback and New Inspiration
During our session, we had the opportunity to share preliminary findings from our ongoing study and curriculum development. The feedback we received was invaluable. Participants encouraged us to keep pushing the boundaries of educational innovation, reaffirming our commitment to designing an impactful curriculum for the next generation of social innovators.
One key takeaway was that education should not be limited to transferring knowledge but should evolve into a space that fosters collaboration, experimentation, and real-world problem-solving.
As we reflect on the feedback and conversations from ISIRC 2024, we’re excited to carry this energy forward. The feedback we received from fellow academics, practitioners, and policymakers pushes us to refine our approach, making sure we contribute meaningfully to the future of social innovation education. We aim to continue the dialogue to ensure that social innovation education continues to evolve and inspire.
We look forward to continuing these discussions at ISIRC 2025 in Calgary. In the meantime, we remain committed to fostering creativity, collaboration, and impactful change through education within the social economy.