Scaling Social Innovation: Lessons from Poland
The Community of Practice on Social Innovation is pleased to announce an on-site event ‘Scaling Social Innovation: Lessons from Poland’, taking place on the 16th – 17th June 2026 in Warsaw, Poland.
The event is organised under Priority 3 of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation Work Programme 2026, focusing on facilitating and accelerating the scaling of proven social innovations. This priority aims to strengthen policy linkages, enhance collaboration, and improve the use of evidence to support the scaling of successful social innovation initiatives across Europe.
The study visit will provide a hands-on mutual learning environment to explore how national and regional ecosystems can better support scaling. Participants will engage in peer learning, project visits, and interactive workshops, examining how governance structures, partnerships, financing approaches, and evidence use can support the transition from pilot initiatives to wider implementation.
During the visit in Warsaw, participants will explore projects on the ground and engage directly with practitioners, while also working together in interactive sessions to share tools, challenges, and emerging practices.
The event will bring together ESF+ Managing Authorities, National Competence Centres, and other key stakeholders to reflect on what effective scaling looks like in different contexts and to co-create more robust and transferable pathways for scaling social innovation across Europe.
| Time (CEST) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:30 |
Registration
|
| 09:30 - 09:50 |
Opening and Welcome
Representative of the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy,
TBC
Michael Grosse,
Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, the European Commission
|
| 09:50 - 10:00 |
Introduction to the Event
The Lead Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation will present the objectives, structure, and working approach of the study visit, explain the main theme and its relationship to the Work Programme 2026, and clarify the participants’ active role as well as the expected outputs and outcomes of the two-day programme.
Sofia Lai Amândio,
Lead Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 10:00 - 10:20 |
Setting the Scene
The speech will present the context for implementing and scaling social innovations in Poland and across the EU, encouraging participants to embrace collaboration with openness and shared purpose.
|
| 10:20 - 11:00 |
A Story of Unleashing Social Innovation in Poland
Presentation about the Polish approach on social innovation in ESF: from the MA and NCC perspective.
Representative of the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy,
TBC
Representative of the Shipyard Foundation,
TBC
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 |
Coffee Break
|
| 11:30 - 11:40 |
Introduction to the World Café
Representative of the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy,
TBC
|
| 11:40 - 13:00 |
World Café
This World Café session will offer participants the opportunity to explore different pathways for developing and scaling social innovation through a series of short presentations and interactive discussions. Across six thematic tables, participants will engage with practical examples from Poland, covering topics such as ecosystem building, incubation and support for innovators, and the scaling of solutions from local pilots to national and regional systems.
|
| 13:00 - 14:15 |
Lunch
|
| 14:15 - 14:30 |
Introduction to Project Visits
Representative of the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy,
TBC
Rasa Penkauskienė,
Coordinator of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 14:30 - 17:00 |
Project Visits
The Project Visits session will provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to explore selected social innovation initiatives in Poland. Through visits to five projects, participants will gain insights into how solutions are implemented and scaled in practice.
The visits will cover a range of themes, including education, mental health, social inclusion, housing, and community initiatives, offering direct exchange with practitioners and showcasing different approaches to addressing social challenges. |
| 19:00 - 21:00 |
Dinner
|
| Time (CEST) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:30 |
Feedback from Project Visits
|
| 09:30 - 09:45 |
Introduction to Parallel Workshops
Szilvia Simon,
Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 09:45 - 10:30 |
Parallel Workshops
These interactive workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to explore key aspects of implementing and scaling social innovation in smaller groups. The discussions will focus on sharing practical experiences, addressing common challenges, and identifying effective approaches across different contexts. The sessions will foster peer learning and aim to generate actionable insights that can support policy and practice across Member States.
Facilitated by: Sofia Lai Amândio,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
Szilvia Simon,
Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
Eglė Butkevičienė,
Thematic Expert of the National Competence Centres Working Group
|
| 10:30 - 11:00 |
Coffee Break
|
| 11:00 - 11:45 |
Parallel Workshops
|
| 11:45 - 12:15 |
Feedback from Workshops
Each group will present their key findings and recommendations. This session will help identify common priorities and opportunities for collaboration across Member States.
|
| 12:15 - 12:30 |
Wrap-up and Closing
The final session will summarise the main outcomes of the event, highlight key takeaways, and outline next steps for the Community of Practice on Social Innovation and participants.
Sofia Lai Amândio,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
Michael Grosse,
Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, the European Commission
|
| 12:30 - 13:30 |
Lunch
|