The Swedish ESF Council has appointed Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Malmö University to represent Sweden in response to the European Commission’s call for proposals for centers of excellence in social innovation.
“We must work together to address the various challenges facing society—in Sweden, Europe, and the rest of the world. Cross-sector collaboration and social innovation enhance our capacity to act and our ability to create an inclusive and socially sustainable society,” says Kerstin Tham, President of Malmö University.
The brand-new European Center of Excellence is being established to promote social innovation, as the Commission has observed that too little is being done in this area. To highlight and raise awareness of the issue, the Commission has allocated 5 million euros, which international networks working on social innovation can apply for to fund their activities. The Social Fund in each country may decide for itself whether to participate as a government agency or allow another entity to represent the country’s interests in this matter. Sweden has chosen to announce this opportunity to existing networks, and of the three applications received, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden was selected.
“All applicants demonstrate solid experience and expertise in social innovation. We believe that Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Malmö University best described how they plan to scale up their operations as a national organization and join a consortium within Europe,” says Emma Henningsson, national coordinator at the Swedish ESF Council.
A unifying national platform for knowledge and collaboration
Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Since 2010Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Forum for Social Innovation Sweden has served as a unifying national platform for knowledge and collaboration in Sweden in the field of social innovation. They work to create meeting places for collaboration, networking, and shared learning within social innovation. Through various types of meetings and events, such as the major Social Innovation Summit conference, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden brings together Forum for Social Innovation Sweden from academia, government agencies, businesses, municipalities, regions, and non-profit organizations, all of whom want to contribute to solving various societal challenges.
“A positive aspect for the Swedish ESF Council in this context is that, if the application is approved by the Commission, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden will be able to Forum for Social Innovation Sweden future project owners by providing advice, guidance, and training, as well as assistance in securing potential funding from ESF+ and EaSI,” says Håkan Forsberg, Acting Director General of the Swedish ESF Council.
Forms a National Partner Consortium Forum for Social Innovation Sweden now has a presence Forum for Social Innovation Sweden five universities across the country, from Malmö University in the south, Jönköping University, and Örebro University, to Umeå University and Luleå University of Technology in the north. Together with Reach for Change and Inkludera, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden is Forum for Social Innovation Sweden forming a national partner consortium, with Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Malmö University as the lead applicant.
“Being entrusted by the Swedish ESF Council to represent Sweden in the development of knowledge and expertise regarding social innovations in Europe is an honor and a fantastic opportunity for us to further develop and professionalize our already established platform,” says Hanna Sigsjö, Executive Director Forum for Social Innovation Sweden.
Next step: joining a European consortium
The next stepis for Forum for Social Innovation Sweden join a European consortium. If the European Commission approves the application, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden will Forum for Social Innovation Sweden as a national center of expertise for social innovation and specifically support innovative projects and public authorities within the ESF/ESF+ framework. This means that Forum for Social Innovation Sweden contribute its specialized expertise and continue to provide information, advice, guidance, and training, as well as engage in collaboration, networking, and mutual learning regarding social innovation, both nationally and across Europe.
Contacts Forum for Social Innovation Sweden:
Hanna Sigsjö, Executive Director of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, hanna.sigsjo@mau.se
Charlotte Ahlgren Moritz, Chair Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Vice President of Malmö University, charlotte.ahlgren.moritz@mau.se
or 040-6657346
Contacts at the Swedish ESF Council:
Susanna Holzer, Analyst, susanna.holzer@esf.se or 08-57917112
Emma Henningson, National Coordinator, emma.henningsson@esf.se or 026-542688
Swedish ESF Council
The Swedish ESF Councilis a Swedish government agency that operates on behalf of the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Its activities span several policy areas, primarily labor market, social, education, business, and integration policy. The ESF Council’s mission is to administer the European Social Fund and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). This involves announcing project funding and monitoring and evaluating the impact of the various projects. The European Social Fund is the EU’s most important tool for creating more and better jobs in Europe. In Sweden, the Social Fund supports projects that combat social exclusion and promote skills development.