With a large turnout, the Social Innovation Conference and Workshop of the Region of Thessaly took place on 19 January at JOIST Innovation Park, gathering approximately 120 participants.
The event had a dual character:
- Conference aiming to familiarise participants with the concept of social innovation
- Workshop on the implementation of innovative approaches in public administration
During the conference, the following were highlighted:
- The role of social innovation in policy making
- The importance of cooperation between levels of governance
- Good practices and implementation tools
In the workshop, the participants worked in groups, investigating practical solutions and approaches for enhancing innovation in the public sector.
The Innovation Conference made a substantial contribution to enhancing dialogue and knowledge surrounding Social Innovation, highlighting critical policy and strategic planning issues at a regional level. The importance of promoting innovation in the public sector, reducing red tape and developing public services tailored to the actual needs of citizens was emphasised.
At the same time, Social Innovation was highlighted as a process that strengthens synergies, inclusiveness in the design of policies and projects, and cooperation between bodies with proven experience, as is already the case in the Region of Thessaly through the implementation of the Regional Strategy and the Social Innovation Action Plan.