Lecturer: R. Prandini
In collaboration with: Giulia Ganugi
The topic of social innovation is approached historically, analytically, and critically.
1. Social innovation as a concept and situated practice.
1a. Evolution of the concept of social innovation from 1800 to the present.
2a. The two paradigms of social innovation: Anglo-Saxon managerial "business-centered" and Euro-Canadian territorial-transformative.
3a. The future of social innovation: a new way of doing business (social economy) or a new field of inclusive practices (social aid)?
2. Problematizing social innovation: the different possible meanings of "innovation" and "social."
2a. The semantics of innovation between the rhetorics of "invention" and those of "participation."
2b. Innovation as an intentional rejection of routine.
2c. The "social" aspect of social innovation: an empirical field of application or a specific operational logic?
2d. Different ways of narrating innovation: regeneration, inclusion, transformation, and capacity building.
2e. What is evaluated in innovation?
3. International examples of social innovation and analysis of their characteristics:
case, structure, system/environment relationship
3a. Housing First
3b. Rimini's local health hubs
3c. Porto Alegre's participatory budget
3d. Alzheimer's Cafés
3e. Buurtzorg
PART II. THE GOVERNANCE OF SOCIAL INNOVATION – RICCARDO PRANDINI
1. Who governs social innovation?
1a. Government, Governance, Governmentality: Three modes of social steering
1b. Beyond hierarchy (top-down) and participation (bottom-up).
1c. Between bottom-linked governance and polyarchy
2. How is social innovation governed?
2a. Three Decision Technologies: Programming, Supervision, and Enhancement
2b. Governance Structures and Counterstructures (Democracy and Counter democracy)
2c. Experimentalist Governance
2d. The Governance of Social Innovation: Between Political Utopia and the Utopia of Social Autonomy
PART III. DOING SOCIAL INNOVATION – GIULIA GANUGI
1. Through co-creation [45 minutes]
1a. Definition and a brief historical reconstruction
2a. Phases of co-creation
3a. Public administrations and Third Sector facing co-creation
2. Through participation [45 minutes]
1a. Civic and social participation
2a. The role of citizens (and public actors)
3a. Insights on tools for practitioners: canvas, matrices and spinners
BREAK: 30 minutes
3. Through facilitation [80 minutes]
1a. The role of facilitators in participatory processes
2a. The perspective of an Italian organization (TBD) playing as facilitator
4. Through communication [80 minutes]
4a. Social communication
4b. Narratives for social change
4c. Hands-on with Laura Laportella, expert social communicator
Lecturer: A. Taddei, R. Varini
The Community Design and Impact Evaluation module aims to strengthen design and evaluative competencies for professionals engaged in social innovation.
The course presents Community Design as a participatory and problem-oriented approach that, through the development of reflective capacities within working groups, fosters the co-creation of social solutions capable of addressing complex needs through the active involvement of communities, public institutions, third-sector organizations, and economic actors. Particular attention is devoted to processes of listening, stakeholder mapping, the construction of collaborative networks, and the valorization of territorial resources.
In an integrated manner, the module introduces Impact Evaluation tools as formative devices and instruments for organizational learning, supporting professional awareness, continuous improvement of practices, and accountability for the social value generated.
Through case studies, workshops, and applied exercises, the module seeks to support participants in integrating participatory design, transformative action, and impact evaluation, promoting critical and operational skills for intervention in complex contexts. This approach is aligned with a pedagogical vision of social innovation oriented toward the empowerment of individuals and communities.
Lecturer: E. Sulstarova, K. Këlliçi
This course examines the concept of societal transformation through contemporary
theories of social change in the social sciences. It explores major global shifts such as climate
change, economic globalization, technological and social innovation, democratization processes,
political integration, and conflict. The course addresses key theoretical questions: what
transformations are taking place, what forces drive them, who benefits from them, whether
transformation is guided by specific agents, and what social and cultural consequences emerge. It
aims to equip students with a solid theoretical understanding of how structural and agency-based
factors interact in shaping societal change.
In the course critical discussion and analytical engagement are encouraged. Students are
trained to identify and analyze the structures and agents of social change and to apply theoretical
frameworks to contemporary developments. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to
participate in informed theoretical debates and to use analytical tools for examining complex
transformation processes across different contexts.
Empirical insights are drawn from a wide range of real-world transformations, including
economic and political transitions, social-ecological change, innovation processes, and shifts in
social relations such as family structures. The course engages with diverse case studies reflected
in the literature, including transformations in Central and Eastern Europe, social movements,
sustainability transitions, and societal entrepreneurship. These cases allow students to connect
theory with practice and to critically assess how societal transformation unfolds across different
regions and sectors.
Lecturer: D. Bagić, J. Božić
The module will explore the possibilities of social problem-solving through design thinking, using the theory of change as a framework for achieving long-term social impact. The potential of various theoretical models of local development to contribute to socially innovative solutions will be discussed and assessed. The case study section will focus on novel approaches to capacity building in the green and digital transitions. In the case studies presented, students will seek socially innovative solutions to specific real-life social problems through cross-sectoral cooperation, strategic resource management, and the use of different support opportunities. Additionally, the case study section will analyze similarities and differences between the design and management of social innovation projects and other types of projects. The methodological section will cover project cycle management through the phases of programming by analyzing the state of affairs at national and local levels; identifying community needs, actors, problems, and objectives; formulating a logical matrix and designing a project proposal; implementation and project management; and monitoring and evaluating project performance and efficiency. Planning will include defining the project logic, analyzing assumptions and risks, setting indicators and benchmarks, scheduling activities, and budget planning. Finally, through teamwork, students will be able to: a) draft a lobbying proposal that may be used by actors to advocate for policy changes at relevant national and European institutions; b) write a persuasion paper for local government units to strengthen their support; and c) elaborate on mitigation measures for possible risks occurring at any stage.
Lecturer: M. Vesković, I. Petrović, M. Bobić
This module aims to present contemporary migration processes and integration issues, with a special emphasis on the new challenges, needs, and opportunities of migrants and marginalized groups, as well as of societies. During the seminars within this module, students will be introduced to the theoretical aspects of innovative approaches to integrating migrant populations into society, both into the economic and social subsystems, to achieve a win-win outcome for both migrants and host societies. Within the practical part of the course (case study), students will be assigned various tasks focused on solving practical situations such as addressing the educational needs of migrant populations, housing challenges, employment issues, and aligning public policies with their needs as well as the needs of society. Some of the partners with practical experience will be involved in the practical work with students. Students will be introduced to methodological approaches for identifying the needs of both groups, including quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative methods include survey design and sampling design. Students will also use secondary data sources for analyzing migration processes and attitudes, based on databases such as Eurostat, the World Bank, IOM, and the European Social Survey. Within qualitative research methods, attention will be given to how methods such as semi- structured interviews and focus groups can be applied to the study of innovative approaches to integrating migrant populations. The expected learning outcomes are as follows: students’ ability to recognize the needs of migrants and those of society, and to identify, design, and apply project and policy tools that respond to these needs and achieve the objectives of social innovation.
Lecturer: M. Sako, E. Sulstarova
This module examines the role of education in youth empowerment processes. Education is conceptualized as a transformative process, and its connection with key theories of empowerment, participation, and civic engagement provides a solid theoretical framework for understanding how young people, through the development of knowledge, skills, and agency, become active actors capable of influencing sociopolitical processes, driving positive social change, and contributing to social innovation. Based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines political science, education, and social policy, youth empowerment is understood as a multidimensional and transformative process that strengthens young people’s capacities for critical thinking, collective action, meaningful participation, systems thinking, and co-creation in addressing complex societal challenges.
The methodological section adopts participatory and experiential learning approaches, including problem-based learning and simulation exercises. Students participate in group discussions, critical reflection, and practical activities supported by different techniques and digital learning tools. The goal is to foster critical thinking, creativity, communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, while strengthening students; capacity to design innovative social solutions and develop key social innovation competencies. The case study section critically examines empirical examples of social innovation initiatives that contribute to youth empowerment, implemented by different actors. Through comparative case analyses, simulations and the development of micro-level initiatives, students actively engage with real-world challenges, apply theoretical concepts to practice and develop socially innovative responses.
Lecturer: Elena Macchioni
This module explores Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Social Economy as key drivers of social innovation, fostering new forms of collaboration among businesses, Third Sector organizations, public institutions, and local communities. Drawing on a sociological and interdisciplinary perspective, the course examines how these actors can co-design innovative responses to emerging social needs while generating shared value and promoting sustainable territorial development.
The module is structured into three complementary components.
a) Theoretical Session
The first part introduces the main theoretical approaches to CSR and the Social Economy as drivers of social innovation and societal transformation. Particular attention is devoted to sustainability, shared value creation, social impact, corporate welfare, place-based welfare systems, multi-stakeholder governance, and cross-sector partnerships. The session highlights the role of organizations in building collaborative welfare ecosystems capable of generating collective well-being and sustainable local development.
b) Case Studies and Applied Insights
The theoretical perspectives are explored through the analysis of two real-world case studies.
The first case examines an innovative model of collaboration between companies and a national network of social cooperatives with extensive experience in designing and delivering welfare services. The case illustrates how social economy organizations can become strategic partners in developing place-based corporate welfare initiatives and collaborative welfare ecosystems capable of generating social value for workers, families, and local communities.
The second case focuses on the potential of Artificial Intelligence in corporate welfare. Participants will explore how AI-based solutions can support needs assessment, service personalization, employee engagement, and impact monitoring, while critically discussing the organizational, social, and ethical challenges associated with the adoption of digital technologies in social innovation processes.
c) Workshop and Simulation
The practical component consists of a role-playing simulation designed to experience participatory planning and multi-stakeholder governance in the field of corporate and local welfare.
Participants will be divided into five working groups and assigned the roles of different stakeholders involved in welfare policy design, including company representatives, welfare providers, trade unions, local government officials, and other key actors.
Working from their assigned perspectives, each group will negotiate priorities, identify local needs and available resources, build strategic partnerships, and co-design a place-based corporate welfare plan aimed at creating shared value for organizations, employees, and local communities.
The workshop concludes with the presentation and discussion of each group’s proposal, providing an opportunity to critically assess the feasibility, sustainability, social impact, and innovative potential of the proposed welfare plans.
Lecturer: M. Sedmak, Z. Medarić
The module explores social innovation as a strategic approach to strengthening the inclusion of vulnerable groups in contemporary societies. It addresses current socially innovative approaches to inclusion and social participation of vulnerable groups in European societies. Particular attention is given to children, women, migrants and other vulnerable groups, with an emphasis on participatory approaches, community engagement, and evidence-based social policies as foundations for social change. The module combines theory, empirical insights, and methodological training to equip participants with the competencies to design and assess socially innovative and inclusive practices.
The module is structured into three interconnected sections:
1. Theoretical section: Participants are introduced to key concepts, including vulnerable groups, social inequality, mechanisms of social inclusion and exclusion and related policies. The section critically examines social policy frameworks and theoretical models of inclusion. It also introduces social innovation as a framework for developing effective and sustainable responses to complex social challenges affecting vulnerable groups.
2. Case study presentation section: This section presents selected European and local case studies of social innovation practices addressing vulnerable groups (e.g., children, women, elderly, migrants). Emphasis is placed on analysis of successful initiatives and stakeholder collaboration.
3. Methodological section: Participants are introduced to qualitative and participatory research methods used in studying social innovation in relation to vulnerable groups (e.g., participatory action research, co-creation methods, arts-based research). The section also addresses ethical issues in researching vulnerable groups. The focus is on practical application for designing inclusive social interventions.
Lecturer: E. Micelli, E. Ostanel, M. Moscatelli
This module explores urban regeneration as a process of social innovation, examining how urban transformation can generate not only physical renewal, but also social value, institutional learning and new forms of collaboration between public authorities, local communities, third-sector organisations and private actors. The module is organised into three sections. The theoretical section introduces key debates on urban regeneration, social innovation, public value, collaborative governance and the role of real estate assets in contemporary urban policies. It frames regeneration as an integrated process in which economic feasibility, spatial quality, social inclusion and environmental transition must be addressed together.
The case study section presents selected Italian and European experiences, with particular attention to projects where the reuse of buildings, public assets and heritage sites has activated new social practices, community-based initiatives, cultural production, local welfare and innovative forms of urban governance.
The methodological section provides participants with analytical tools to assess regeneration processes, including stakeholder mapping, governance analysis, impact assessment, feasibility evaluation and the identification of social, economic and environmental outcomes. The module aims to enable participants to understand, design and assess urban regeneration projects not only as spatial interventions, but as drivers of social innovation, public value creation and sustainable territorial development.
Lecturer: M. Spella, A. Kameas
This module introduces students to key tools and methodologies for social innovation, combining foundational data analysis skills with participatory design approaches. Designed for learners from diverse academic backgrounds, the module provides an accessible introduction to statistical, textual, and AI-assisted analysis for evidence-based decision-making in social contexts. Students explore different forms of raw and processed data, descriptive statistics, clustering, sentiment and collocation analysis, while gaining hands-on experience with up-to-date tools such as SPSS, R, Sci2 Tool, AutoML, Azure Machine Learning, and Tableau for data visualization and interpretation.
The second part of the module focuses on Participatory Design as a methodology for inclusive and socially impactful innovation. Students are introduced to the historical foundations, principles, and ethical dimensions of participatory and user-centered design, progressing through research, ideation, prototyping, and evaluation processes. Through collaborative exercises, case studies, and real-world applications, the module highlights the role of co-creation, inclusivity, and societal impact in the development of innovative solutions.
By combining analytical literacy with participatory methodologies, the module equips students with practical and critical skills for designing ethical, data-informed, and socially responsive interventions across a range of professional and civic contexts.