Social Innovation
Social Innovation
Our Objective
The Social Innovation project strengthens ongoing initiatives at the Hubs, focusing on those with clear potential for social and environmental impact. Each year, based on the needs and priorities of each Hub, one tailored activity is proposed. This activity is developed, implemented, and tested throughout the year, ensuring it empowers local communities and contributes to the project’s overall goals.
Figures
The project was launched on January 1, 2024 and is currently in progress.
Summary
The Social Innovation project aims at strengthening existing initiatives in every Wyss Academy Hub with clear potential for social and environmental impact. Instead of creating new projects, it provides targeted support by identifying development gaps and offering capacity-building to complement local priorities. The main goal is to accelerate progress, empower local communities, and equip them with the necessary tools to drive or benefit from innovations. Additionally, the project offers training for Hubs and their partners, focusing on engagement through the Art of Hosting methodology.
Project Connections
Timeline
A certification in social innovation for changemakers, and other key activities
Project Update December 1, 2024
Activities:Finalizing project activities for 2024, including the five selected initiatives, and initiating planning phase for 2025.In the Hub Southeast Asia, capacity building in schools progressed and was implemented by the Hub, leading to the planning on social innovation support for 2025.Activity: The Changemakers Program, which includes youth from all Hubs, was supported by social innovation project, offering a certification in social innovation to 28 young participants. The course was provided by the partner University for Peace, an international and intergovernmental organization established by the United Nations.
Learning how to use a computer, with visual aid
Project Update November 1, 2024
Activity: Visual posters were created to assist illiterate visitors at community centers in Madagascar in learning how to use a computer. The material covers basic tasks, such as turning on the computer and creating an email. These solutions provide a practical approach to bridging the digital divide, enabling knowledge transfer even for individuals with limited digital experience.
Two-week digital literacy course in Madagascar
Project Update October 1, 2024
Activity:In the East Africa Hub, 13 local agents, field assistants, and volunteers completed a two-week digital literacy course in Madagascar. This initiative supported their role in tutoring visitors at three community centers within WA's solutionscape and led to new informational sessions and community events organized by the participants. The course was provided by the partner Youth First, with coordination and strong involvement from the Hubs team in Madagascar.
A strategy was developed to support Amazonian youth activities in 2025
Project Update September 1, 2024
Activity:In the South America Hub, two online exchanges were held with youth leaders representing over 60 young Amazonians from Peru, actively engaged in sustainability efforts. Thanks to the Hub's leadership and involvement throughout the process, a strategy was developed to support Amazonian youth activities in 2025, enhancing their ability to advocate for new public policies.
Workshop and knowledge-exchange events in the Hub Bern
Project Update August 1, 2024
Activity:In the Hub Bern, one workshop and three knowledge-exchange events were supported, involving approximately 30 stakeholders from around 20 selected institutions with focus in the Grosses Moos region.
Workshop to identify social innovations within the WA's ongoing activities
Project Update January 1, 2024
Activity description:Representatives from each Hub and other Wyss Academy units jointly worked to identify social innovations within their ongoing activities, as well as outline current steps and methods to support them. Five key projects were selected for receiving targeted support, including capacity building for partners, volunteers, youth, and other stakeholders.
Team
- Project contact
Project contact
Julia Cunha
Communications and Social Innovation Expert
