Social entrepreneurship skills: driving inclusion and bridging the innovation gap

Past event In Person

Digital & Data Governance

11Oct2023

starts 11:30

ends 13:00

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This participatory lab, held as part of the 21st EU Week of Regions and Cities, shared European perspectives on ways to boost innovation and development that leave no one behind by promoting entrepreneurial and social innovation skills, community-based solutions and multi-stakeholder alliances across cities, regions and sectors.

As drivers of social innovation, social cohesion and job creation, entrepreneurial skills, such as creativity, problem-solving and community leadership, are essential for European regions and cities. Fit to prepare Europe for future economic and societal transitions, they can promote a more just and fairer Renewed Social Contract, as well as more inclusive communities and environments. On the individual level, these competencies contribute to the employability and self-development of citizens, including those facing barriers to entering the labour market, such as migrants, women and young people.

Together with innovators, researchers, civil society leaders and business practitioners from different backgrounds and countries, participants brainstormed and co-created solutions that can contribute to more sustainable, inclusive and just future for all communities.

This event took place in Brussels. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook. Join the #EURegionsWeek discussion!

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Speakers

Greta Bilanzola is a senior project officer of several EU projects linked to entrepreneurial competencies development. As the Coordinator of the Support Office of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, she provides support to 185 local contact points and entrepreneurs who take the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other participating countries.

Carina Dantas is the CEO of SHINE 2Europe with over 20 years of experience in areas related to health, social innovation, and information and communications technology (ICT). She currently serves as the Coordinator of the EU project SIRENE (Social Innovation Responsive Environments), Chair of the COST Action NET4Age-Friendly, Coordinator of the Stakeholders Network on SHAFE (Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments) and Vice-President of the European Covenant on Demographic Change.

Nicknamed ‘the philosopher of tech’, Laurent Hublet is a Belgian entrepreneur, who champions investment in human capital and skills as a means to strengthen the social pact between the public and the government. He founded BeCentral, the largest tech campus in Europe in terms of the number of people (re)trained, with the belief that every citizen, regardless of their age, gender, colour or culture, should have the opportunity to become a digital native and an actor of the digital revolution. An angel investor in over 15 digital start-ups, Hublet is also behind the We Are Founders programme, which assists non-entrepreneurs in launching start-ups. In the academic arena, he is the Co-Academic Director of an executive programme at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, which focuses on responsible and ethical approaches to management. Hublet has previously served in the cabinet of the Belgian deputy prime minister and advised on the digital strategy of the federal government.

Willeke (Wilhelmina) van Staalduinen is the CEO of AFEdemy, which works on the implementation of smart inclusive environments by capacity-building of stakeholders, such as local authorities, older people and informal caregivers. Van Staalduinen’s organisation develops e-learning platforms, learning modules and educational games, and organises workshops to support the training. Additionally, they work for age-friendly city The Hague and are member of the local ecosystem of citizens, science, social business and authority.

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