30 Semi-finalists selected in European Social Innovation Competition 2019

Out of 543 applicants from across Europe, this year’s Judging Panel++Meet the Judging PanelThe jury of this year’s competition is comprised of a diverse group of twelve experts, read their profiles here! has chosen thirty semi-finalists with bright ideas for the Competition’s theme of 2019: Challenging Plastic Waste. These ideas cover a wide spectrum of solutions, from optimising supply chains to changing consumer behaviour. The European Social Innovation Competition is an initiative of the DG Growth of the European Commission, and is organised by Kennisland++KL and EUSICKennisland has been involved with the competition since 2013. You can find more information about this project here. in cooperation with Nesta, Ashoka, ENoLL en Scholz & Friends.

The semi-finalists of 2019 come from 19 different counties, and represent a wide range of sectors and activities. You can find their profiles here.

Mid-July the semi-finalistsThe semi-finalists of 2019 come from 19 different counties, and represent a wide range of sectors and activities. will receive training and support from experienced social innovators at the Social Innovation Academy++ChallengesKennisland has extensive experience with tailor made support programmes. Examples of this are Amsterdammers, Make your City! and our excursion during the Ratkaisu-100. You can read more about our take on this here.. During the Academy, the semi-finalists will partake in workshops, join a social innovation public event and meet inspiring social innovators from local initiatives. This stage of the Competition is aimed at providing the semi-finalists with the best chance in the Competition and beyond. This year’s Academy will take place in Turin, a city that has successfully transitioned from post-industrial hardship into a thriving centre of innovation and creativity. It is therefore the ideal city to be hosting this stage of the Competition.

Alongside the Academy the Semi-Finalists receive personalised support from a local coach. This prepares them for the next stage of the Competition, where they submit extensive Development Plans to the Judging Panel. The Judges will then have the responsibility to select ten Finalists and eventually three Winners, each of whom will be awarded € 50,000. Additionally, an Impact Prize of € 50,000 will be awarded to the 2018 Semi-Finalist that has achieved the most significant social impact over the past twelve months. Kennisland is responsibleThe Social Innovation Playbook actively helps transforming social innovation ideas into viable businesses by providing worksheets, supporting exercises and opportunities for reflection. for the overall support programme of the Competition, including the Academy, personalised coaching and peer-to-peer learning.

Social Innovation Playbook

For this edition of the European Social Innovation Competition, Kennisland has also developed a guiding playbook that aims to encourage and support both Semi-Finalists and other social innovators – whether they’re just starting out, planning to scale up or simply on the lookout for their next bright idea. The Social Innovation Playbook informs readers about nurturing good social innovation ideas and actively helps transforming them into viable businesses by providing worksheets, supporting exercises and opportunities for reflection.

The Social Innovation Playbook can be found here.

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