In these unusual times, we’d like to share some good news. Two new stars are joining our team at Forum for Social Innovation Sweden the South. Both will serve as junior project managers and will lead initiatives aimed at creating meeting places and promoting knowledge in the field of social innovation. We asked Gloria-Karin and Celia to tell us a little about their backgrounds and what they bring to Forum for Social Innovation Sweden.
Gloria-Karin López
What is your background?
– Most recently, I worked at Lund University as a project assistant and student coordinator on various sustainability issues and events, such as Sustainability Week in Lund and gathering feedback from various stakeholder groups on the National Agenda 2030 Delegation’s final report regarding how the Agenda 2030 is to be implemented in Sweden. Prior to that, I was a project manager at Retoy—a social enterprise that aims to create a better world through toy swaps, where children learn about their rights and practice circular and toxin-free consumption. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding and a way for me to apply my knowledge of human rights and sustainability science.
What do you bring to the table as a new employee at Forum for Social Innovation Sweden?
– As a new employee at Forum for Social Innovation Sweden , I Forum for Social Innovation Sweden with me a strong drive to create the conditions needed to solve today’s problems—whether they involve discrimination, unsustainable transportation, or the siloed nature of society that hinders cross-sector collaboration. We have so much to learn from one another across sectors, and I truly believe that social innovation and social entrepreneurship can create the solutions for a more sustainable society!
Is there a social innovation that’s particularly close to your heart?
– It’s hard for me to pick just one social innovation, but I think if I had to, it would be No Isolation’s “warm technology.” It consists partly of KOMP, a computer in the form of a flat-screen TV with just one button designed to combat loneliness among the elderly, and partly of AV1, a communication robot for chronically ill children that enables them to exercise their right to education from their hospital beds while also being represented in the classroom. A truly inspiring way to use technology!
Fun facts about you
– When I was in fifth grade, I won Simrishamn Municipality’s poetry contest for that grade level, and recently I started a new basketball team with Amanda Häll at Malbas for girls and non-binary people aged 17–30.
Celia Boltes
What is your background?
– I am a trained urban planner and journalist with a background in civil society. In my previous roles, I have primarily focused on making news and politics accessible to a younger audience. In my most recent projects, for example, I have worked on developing a new organizational model to involve young people in municipal decision-making processes in Malmö. I have also collaborated with the Malmö City Library to promote filmmaking among young people and highlight new voices in film.
What do you bring to the table as a new employee at Forum for Social Innovation Sweden?
– I hope to bring important perspectives to the table when it comes to issues of accessibility related to social innovation. I’m used to working with a young audience, and for me, it’s important to create spaces for dialogue and engagement that are open to a broader audience. This could involve, for example, fundamental questions about language—what does “social innovation” actually mean? But it could also involve perspectives on innovation—who is producing social innovation, and who is seen as the recipient?
Is there a social innovation that’s particularly close to your heart?
– I’m a big fan of initiatives and solutions that are easy to explain. One initiative I really like is the “Knowledge Lunch” held at Kunskapsgymnasiet in Malmö. The Knowledge Lunch is simply about students inviting people who work in professions they’re curious about, and then they have lunch together in the school cafeteria. The lunch gives young people the chance to ask questions about educational choices and their dreams, but it’s also a great opportunity for professionals to meet and expand their networks—a win-win!
The meetups are organized by Fatime Nedzipovska with a simple pitch: “Do you love Malmö? Do you want to inspire kids to take over the world? Do you like (free) lunch? BOOM – then you’ve come to the right place!”
Fun facts about you
– One fun fact is that I’m one of the very few people in Sweden who’ve competed in Swedish, European, and World Championships—in different sports! I’ve always been interested in all ball sports and started playing soccer when I was just five years old. So far, I’ve competed in the Swedish Futsal Championship, the European Dodgeball Championship, and the World Five-a-Side Championship.