Join the Social Innovation Study Visit to Pärnu County!
How do ideas emerge that genuinely make life better in a community? What happens when local people, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs and local governments come together around a shared goal? And what does social innovation look like in places where good ideas have already been turned into action?
The Social Innovation Study Visit will take us to Pärnu County on 21–22 October, where we will explore how ideas emerge that can genuinely improve the lives of communities.
Over the course of two days, we will meet local changemakers, discover inspiring initiatives and explore how collaboration can lead to solutions whose impact extends beyond a single organisation or project.
Why take part?
Sotsiaalsest innovatsioonist ja koostööst räägitakse palju, kuid kõige paremini saab nende tähendusest aru siis, kui näeme oma silmaga, kuidas need päriselus toimivad. Pärnumaal Social innovation and collaboration are talked about a lot, but the best way to understand what they really mean is to see them in action. In Pärnu County, we will visit people and organisations that have found new ways to respond to the needs of their communities and have brought together different stakeholders to make those solutions a reality.
The study visit is open to everyone who wants to broaden their horizons, gain new ideas and meet people who may become future collaborators. We welcome leaders of civil society organisations, consultants, local government specialists, entrepreneurs and anyone else who cares about community development, collaboration and new solutions.
Over the two days, you will:
- see practical examples of social innovation up close and hear the stories of the people behind them;
- experience how collaboration between different sectors and communities can take shape;
- exchange ideas with fellow participants and local changemakers;
- gather inspiration, contacts and ideas that you can put to use in your own work or community;
- become part of a network that brings together people who have taken part in previous study visits as well as other activities of the project.
The study visit is not limited to the two days spent in Pärnu County. It will be preceded by a preparatory meeting where participants can get to know one another and prepare for the study visit together. After the visit, we will meet again for a follow-up session to reflect on what we experienced, share the ideas that emerged and discuss how to put what we learned into practice.
What have previous participants taken away from the study visits?
This will already be the third Social Innovation Study Visit. Previous visits have brought together people from different fields and regions, provided new contacts and fresh ideas, and offered an opportunity to see first-hand how social innovation and collaboration work in practice in different places. Previous study visits have taken us to South-Eastern Estonia and Ida-Viru County.
“The study visit broadened my horizons and developed my thinking about how to plan and implement things. It made me realise that when something seems impossible, you simply need to figure out how to make it possible.”
“A wonderful opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet enthusiastic people in their fields. It gave me the confidence and motivation to keep going. Social entrepreneurship gives the soul room to breathe.”
“Sometimes recognition is forgotten; it somehow becomes taken for granted, and as a result, those who lead and drive things forward become tired. But the study visit motivates, sustains and supports you. Seeing yourself reflected through the experiences of others reminds you how amazing, capable, caring and hardworking you are — and how important you are to your community.”
“The Social Innovation Study Visit was a wonderful opportunity to step out of the routine of everyday life and spend two days experiencing inspiring meetings and visits together with inspiring and positive people.”
What can you expect from the Social Innovation Study Visit to Pärnu County?
Over the course of two days, we will travel together by bus around Pärnu County, visiting different communities, organisations and initiatives. The focus will be on people who have dared to try something new, brought different partners around the same table and found smart ways to respond to local needs.
The purpose of the study visit is not simply to hear success stories. We also want to find out how the ideas got started, what obstacles emerged along the way, how the right people and partners were found, and what was learned from the experience. It is precisely these honest stories that can spark ideas that participants can later put into practice in their own communities or work.
We will publish the full programme a little later — part of the magic of a study visit is the joy of discovery. What we can promise is that the two days will include a variety of places and topics, as well as plenty of opportunities to meet people whose work is worth learning from.
The study visit will take place in Pärnu County on 21–22 October. Participation is free of charge, and accommodation and meals will be provided.
Apply for the study visit!
One of the greatest strengths of the study visit is the diversity of its participants. We want to bring together people with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, so that learning takes place not only at the places we visit, but also on the bus, around the table and in conversations with one another.
The Social Innovation Study Visit is intended for people who want to gain new ideas, contacts and practical experiences.
For this reason, participation is based on an application process, and up to 25 participants will be selected. Priority will be given to people who have not previously taken part in a Social Innovation Study Visit, but everyone interested is welcome to apply.
The application deadline is 21 September.
Lisainfo:
Elmo Puidet
Coordination of the Social Innovation Sub-activities under the Swiss–Estonian Cooperation Programme measure “Supporting Social Inclusion”
+372 506 3306
Elmo.Puidet@kysk.ee
Maris Praats
Head of Communication
+372 5556 0018
Maris.Praats@kysk.ee
The study visit is part of the activities of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme measure “Supporting Social Inclusion”, which aims to strengthen civil society by promoting social innovation. The activity is co-financed by Switzerland to reduce economic and social disparities within the European Union.