Mutual Learning Workshop: ‘New Knowledge Generation Strategies for the National Competence Centres’
We are pleased to invite you to the National Competence Centres Working Group (NCC WG) under the CoP on Social Innovation event ‘Mutual Learning Workshop ‘New Knowledge Generation Strategies for the National Competence Centres’, which will take place online on Tuesday, 25th November, from 10:00 to 13:00 CET.
During the event, NCC WG members will continue the discussion on how to strengthen engagement with academia and explore new instruments, such as the potential introduction of Erasmus-type exchanges and internships for National Competence Centres (NCCs). Building on the exchanges initiated during the Malmö study visit, this session will present concrete examples and practical suggestions for reinforcing collaboration between NCCs and academic institutions.
The discussion will focus on both the opportunities and challenges of fostering these connections. Participants will be invited to share their own experiences, examples, and future plans in this area.
In addition, the event will introduce initial learning questions and potential complex societal challenges that could be collaboratively addressed by NCCs in 2026.
| Time (CET) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:45 - 10:00 |
Technical Set-Up
|
| 10:00 - 10:05 |
Opening and Welcome
Lucrezia Ioannoni Fiore,
Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
|
| 10:05 - 10:15 |
Introduction to the Event
Gorka Espiau,
Lead Thematic Expert of the National Competence Centres Working Group
|
| 10:15 - 10:45 |
Reinforcing the Connection Between NCCs and the Scientific Community
Facilitator: Eglė Butkevičienė, Thematic Expert of the National Competence Centres Working Group
Speakers: Dr. Karina Maldonado-Mariscal, Researcher, Social Research Center, TU Dortmund University, Germany Dr. Martin Galvin, Head of Research Culture, Engagement and Impact, University College Cork, Ireland This section will follow up on the discussion started in Malmö, presenting specific examples and suggestions for NCCs on how to strengthen this connection. It will explore the opportunities and challenges involved, and participants will be invited to share their existing examples and future plans in this area. |
| 10:45 - 11:00 |
Co-designing Learning and Partnership Programmes for NCCs
Participants will be exposed to initial learning questions and potential complex societal challenges that could be addressed collaboratively by NCCs in 2026.
John Healy,
Thematic Expert of the National Competence Centres Working Group
|
| 11:00 - 11:35 |
Break Out Session
Facilitated by Thematic Experts of the National Competence Centres Working Group
|
| 11:35 - 11:45 |
Comfort Break
|
| 11:45 - 12:15 |
Key Take Aways and Suggestions for the 2026 Knowledge Generation Strategy and Work Programme for the NCC WG 2026
Gorka Espiau,
Lead Thematic Expert of the National Competence Centres Working Group
|
| 12:15 - 12:35 |
Discussions
|
| 12:35 - 12:50 |
Overview of the Periodic Reporting
Ina Sinkevičiūtė,
Project Team Lead, Transnational Calls Team
|
| 12:50 - 13:00 |
Conclusions and Next Steps
Gorka Espiau,
Lead Thematic Expert of the National Competence Centres Working Group
Rasa Penkauskienė,
Coordinator of the Community on Social Innovation and National Competence Centres Working Group
|