Social innovation in Europe: stories paving the way toward systemic change
Across Europe, thousands of organisations are proving that social innovation can transform realities and renew systems that no longer respond to today’s challenges. During the 2021–2027 programming period of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), this momentum has accelerated under a framework that requires evidence of impact, scalability and multisector collaboration. In this context, European social innovations have become strategically significant: they not only address unmet needs, but also generate transferable learning that helps redesign public policies and strengthen community cohesion.
The 13th European Forum on Experiences and Trends in Innovation for Inclusion, taking place on 26 November in Madrid and online, will delve into these cases and their transformative potential. Through real examples from different countries, the event will showcase how local or regional initiatives have grown into European benchmarks — and how their paths to scale offer essential insights for anyone seeking to drive sustainable and strategic change.
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Innovations that transform territories
At the core of social innovation lies the ability to identify a need, prototype a solution, and demonstrate — with credible evidence — that it works. Yet true transformation happens when a solution evolves from a local pilot into a replicable model adopted by public institutions. This journey is possible thanks to networks, partnerships and frameworks such as the ESF+, which have enabled numerous initiatives to grow, adapt to new regions and strengthen social cohesion.
This year, several invited speakers at the Forum will share how their projects have undergone precisely this evolution. One of the most influential examples is the Territoires Zero Chômeur de Longue Durée movement in France, which aims to eradicate long-term unemployment by creating sustainable, locally rooted jobs. Driven by the conviction that no one is “unemployable,” the initiative has inspired local and national reforms and stands today as one of the clearest illustrations of how social innovation can reshape an entire labour system. Victoria Bazurto, head of research and evaluation for the initiative, will offer key insights into how a project can grow to influence public policy and generate real systemic change.
13th European Forum full agenda
Other speakers will present complementary perspectives: the Experimental Mixed Pathways Projects led by the Basque Government; insights from the Vidas platform — shared by Berta González Antón, advisor at the State Secretariat for Social Rights —; and initiatives based on shared agendas. All of them show that impact expands when public institutions, social organisations and communities follow a common roadmap.
European cases that work
In addition, there are several projects that will not be present at the Forum, but which inspire us because, over recent years, they have managed to become benchmarks within the European social innovation ecosystem. These are not just initiatives with positive results; they are proposals capable of growing, influencing public policy, and becoming tools for tackling structural challenges through different but equally effective approaches:
- MyPolis (Portugal): MyPolis has reimagined how young people participate in public decision-making. Through agile methodologies and accessible digital tools, it helps municipalities integrate youth perspectives into local policy design. Beyond increasing participation, MyPolis has shown how a structured and replicable approach can strengthen democratic culture and inspire community-driven solutions.
- Cap Métiers (France): In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Cap Métiers has strengthened the capacity of employment and training actors by creating an ecosystem that improves labour market integration and adaptability. Its value lies not only in its outcomes but in its systemic approach: it brings together information, guidance, training and institutional cooperation to build more inclusive and effective pathways.
- Interreg Alpine Space Programme (Central Europe): This transnational programme illustrates how social innovation can be embedded in Europe’s twin green and digital transition. Through cross-regional collaboration, it has demonstrated that solutions co-created by public authorities, businesses and civil society can scale more easily and adapt to diverse contexts.
Why all these projects achieve large-scale impact
The initiatives that have grown beyond their local pilots and become European references share three essential elements:
- Evidence: Clear data that identifies what works, what must be adjusted and how to generate real impact.
- Multisector collaboration: The involvement of diverse actors ensures that solutions can be integrated into services and public policies.
- Adaptability: The ability to replicate solutions in different territories without losing the core value proposition.
When these three elements align, social innovation becomes a powerful tool to strengthen social cohesion, support young people, women, migrants and people in vulnerable situations, and build more resilient territories in the face of economic and environmental challenges.
Learning, connecting and moving toward systemic change
The thirteenth edition of the European Forum will offer a unique opportunity to examine these experiences through both a strategic and practical lens. Beyond sharing good practices, the event will help participants understand what makes a project work across countries, what barriers arise when trying to scale solutions, and which institutional conditions enable progress toward systemic transformation.
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Stories of social innovation across Europe show that systemic change is possible. It requires strategy, evidence, cooperation and long-term vision — but, above all, it requires strong alliances capable of turning local learning into European policies that improve the lives of millions.
