Does the phrase “social innovation” resonate with you? Come and co-create at our networking day
Have you ever wondered how good ideas turn into solutions that actually work in society? On 14 May, the social innovators’ idea day “Sprouting” will take place at the Energy Discovery Centre (Energia Avastuskeskus) in Tallinn. The event brings together people who work with these questions on a daily basis, as well as those who would like to contribute more to the field. The focus of the day is on sharing knowledge and connecting people.
The programme includes a panel discussion and presentations introducing current trends and the state of social innovation. Research findings and learning materials that support teaching and implementing social innovation will also be shared.
The second half of the day focuses on collaboration and discussion. There will be roundtable discussions and case-based sessions where participants can exchange ideas, share experiences, and jointly seek new solutions. Networking is also a key part of the event, offering opportunities to build new contacts and partnerships.
Students, researchers, social innovators and enterprises, public sector representatives, and anyone interested in contributing to societal impact are welcome to attend. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited.
Agenda of 14.05.2026 social innovators networking day “sprouting”
Moderator of the day: Triin Kübar, PhD student in Political Science at Tallinn University
10.30 Arrival and welcome snacks
11.00 Introduction to the day. Evelyn Valtin, National Foundation of Civil Society. Project Manager of social innovation activities of the Swiss-Estonian cooperation program “Supporting Social Inclusion”
11.10 Panel on social innovation cooperation and visioning the future. Discussion moderated by Marko Uibu, Associate Professor of Social Innovation at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Tartu
- Katri-Liis Lepik PhD, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Sciences, Tallinn University
- Marju Mäger, National Foundation of Civil Society, Project Manager for the Development of the Competence Center for Social Innovation
- Minna Harjo, Advisor to the Department of Religious Affairs and Civil Society of the Ministry of the Interior
- Annely Aer, CEO of the Association for Sustainable Enterprise – KELL
- Erik Reinhold, Head of the Pärnu County Development Center
12.00 Overview of the current state of social entrepreneurship and social innovation according to the European Social Entrepreneurship Monitor (ESEM). Merle Levassor, PhD student in Political Science at Tallinn University and coordinator of entrepreneurship studies
12.20 Advertising minutes and invitations to join, moderated by Maris Praats, National Foundation of Civil Society, communication specialist for social innovation activities of the Swiss-Estonian cooperation program “Supporting Social Inclusion”
12.45 Lunch
13.30 Experience story about public sector innovation, Kadi Villers, Advisor to the Government Office for Innovation
13.50 Experience story about innovation in educational, Märt Aro, DreamApply co-fouder
14.10 Experience story about the social incubation program, Pirkko Valge, CEO of the Good Deed Foundation
14.30 Overview of the social innovation materials of the RESIST project, Reet Kasekamp, RESIST project manager at Development Center of Võru County
14.45 Break
15.00 “Save the World in 90 minutes” and discussion circles. Katri-Liis Lepik PhD, Associate Professor, Institute of Social Sciences, Tallinn University
16.30 Conclusions
17.00 End
This activity is co-funded by the following projects:
RESIST – The project aims to create better and more supportive ecosystems for social innovation and social entrepreneurship, and to make existing innovation support more accessible to social entrepreneurs.
Swiss–Estonian Cooperation Programme “Enhancing Social Inclusion”, which focuses on strengthening civil society through the promotion of social innovation. The programme is co-funded by Switzerland to reduce economic and social disparities within the European Union.
