Invitation to Participate – a Two-Day Study Trip Exploring the Paths of Social Innovation
How do real changes in communities come about? What happens when people from different sectors – civil society organisations, businesses, and local governments – sit down at the same table and start thinking together, genuinely and purposefully? And what does social innovation look like when it is no longer just a concept on paper, but a living part of people’s everyday lives?
These questions will be explored for the second time during the Social Innovation Study Trip, which this year will take place on 24–25 March and lead us to Ida-Viru County. Over two days, we will meet people who have created solutions that inspire and reinforce belief in the power of collaboration.
Why take part?
In Estonia, we talk a lot about cooperation and social innovation. We know they are necessary, yet too often they remain abstract ideas. In Ida-Viru County, we will experience them up close – see with our own eyes how ideas are turned into reality and how people have created initiatives that benefit entire communities.
The study trip is designed for everyone who wants to broaden their horizons, gain new ideas, and find cooperation partners – whether you are a consultant in the civil society sector, a local government development specialist, an entrepreneur, or simply someone interested in collaboration and community development. Over the course of two days, you will experience:
- Real-life examples of social innovation initiated by local people.
- The power of cooperation, bringing together civil society organisations, businesses, and municipalities around one table.
- Inspiration and contacts that you can immediately apply in your own work or community.
What have previous participants said?
The study trip broadened my horizons and developed my thinking about how to plan and implement initiatives. It reinforced the understanding that when something seems impossible, the real task is simply to figure out how it can be done.
An excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet enthusiasts in the field. It gave me faith and motivation to keep going. Social entrepreneurship gives space to breathe.
Recognition is often forgotten and becomes taken for granted, which leads to burnout among community leaders. This study trip motivates, supports, and reflects back to you – showing how inspiring, dedicated, caring, and hardworking you are, and how important you are to your community.
The Social Innovation Study Trip was a truly human opportunity to step out of everyday routines and experience two days of inspiring meetings and visits with positive and inspiring people.
What lies ahead?
Over two days, we will travel together by bus from Rakvere through communities in Eastern Estonia. We will visit initiatives born from cross-sector collaboration – youth-led initiatives, partnerships between businesses and local organisations, and joint community ventures. The study trip will conclude back in Rakvere.
The full programme will be announced later, as part of the experience lies in discovery. What we can promise, however, is that the meetings will introduce you to people whose stories have already inspired many others. The themes covered will include education, animal welfare, creativity, the future, tourism, internal security, projects, and much more.
In the evening, we will gather for a joint reflection session to make sense of what we have seen and heard. These discussions form the true value of the study trip – when experiences begin to connect with your own work and the challenges faced by your community.
Apply for the study trip today!
The aim of the study trip is to bring together a diverse group of participants – people with different experiences, professional backgrounds, and perspectives who can learn from one another. Participation is therefore based on an application process, and up to 25 participants will be selected. Priority will be given to those who have not previously taken part in a study trip, but the opportunity is open to everyone.
The application deadline is 22 February.
Further information:
Elmo Puidet – Elmo.puidet@kysk.ee | +372 506 3306
The study trip is organised by the National Foundation of Civil Society. It is part of the Swiss–Estonian Cooperation Programme “Supporting Social Inclusion”, which focuses on strengthening civil society through the promotion of social innovation.
