Date: 3 November 2026
Time: 13.00 – 14.30 CET

Registration link (a registration is compulsory for participation): https://t1p.de/39ils

Social innovation for the next generation of goal-oriented R&I policy in Europe

The European Commission has been at the forefront of developing a research and innovation (R&I) policy that addresses major societal challenges by directing funding towards their resolution. What began under Horizon 2020 as the Societal Challenges approach has evolved into the third generation of mission-oriented policies under Horizon Europe. These innovation missions provide a normative, goal-oriented framework for aligning research, innovation, and sectoral policy across sectors and administrative levels towards strategic societal goals. Yet, their governance, policy-design and effectiveness is increasingly being questioned.

A defining feature of the broader normative turn in innovation policy was the recognition that social innovation (SI) plays an essential role in addressing complex societal transformations. Since its introduction into EU policy debates in the early 2000s, social innovation has expanded far beyond its origins in employment and social inclusion policy.

Drawing on the experiences of the Social Innovation Mission Facility project, this Webinar will explore how social innovation can strengthen the future of European goal oriented policy by reintroducing societal engagement, collective learning, and system change as integral parts of Europe’s innovation model. The discussion aims to position social innovation as a strategic enabler for achieving mission targets and enhancing the long-term effectiveness and legitimacy of European R&I policy. At the same time, the webinar will explore ways in which the social innovation community can become more closely integrated into goal-oriented innovation policy and the project’s activities.

Agenda 

Jürgen Howaldt (ESSI): Opening & Introduction of the speakers (5min) 

Wolfgang Haider (ZSI - Center for Social Innovation Vienna): Introduction to the SIMF Project (10min) 

Emilinah Namaganda (DRIFT – The Dutch Research Institute for Transitions): Impact pathways: Reviewing the contribution of Social Innovations for the EU Missions (15min) First Discussion round (15min) 

Carly Wickham (EdelGive with SIX – Social Innovation Exchange Network): Establishing a Social Innovation Funders & Investors Network (10min) 

Lucia Radu (Impact Hub): Toolkit for business and social innovation support organisations (10min) (tbc) 

Marthe Zirngiebl (TUDO-Technische Universität Dortmund): The next step: a community of practice (10min) Second Discussion round (15min)

The SI-Mission-Facility is funded by the European
Commission (EC) through the Horizon Europe Programme
with Grant Agreement 101216478.