Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Workplace in 2024

This session explored the lessons that can be drawn regarding social innovation from European Social Fund (ESF) projects and programs. Among other things, the discussion focused on the types of innovation in the workplace and broader society that are being pursued in projects funded under the ESF’s social innovation program area. We also discussed what kind of innovation is possible within the framework of ESF programs and other factors in organizations and society. The discussion was based on preliminary results from the annual analysis report of Sweden’s national Competence Centre for Social Innovation the ESF.  

Moderator:
Malin Lindberg, visiting professor of social innovation at Malmö University

Participants:

• Johnny Karlsson, National Coordinator, Swedish ESF Council
• Lena Lago, Vice Chair of Skoopi
• Anna Tengqvist, National and International Coordinator, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, at Malmö University
  

View the presentation from the session (PDF)

Reflector: 
Karl Johan Bonnedahl, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Umeå University 

Observer:
Anders Bro, Development Manager: Social Economy, Partnership for Social Innovation in Örebro County

What societal challengesare critical toaddressinorder tocreate a more inclusivelabor marketand workplaces?In this session,participants conducted a joint analysis of current patterns and trends that warrant attention. The analysis was based on input from stakeholderswhoworkdailyto increase the inclusionofpeople who arefar fromthe labor market.Participants in the sessionalso hadthe opportunityto sharetheir insightsandexperiencesin this area. The resultsof the session willbe incorporated intotheSwedishESF Council’s market intelligence efforts ahead ofupcoming calls for proposals intheEuropeanSocial Fund’sprogram areaforsocial innovation.

Moderator:

• Mattias Bergström, Executive Director of the Central Östergötland Coordination Association and National Coordinator for the National Network of Coordination Associations (NNS).
• Anna Lexelius, Executive Director of the Östra Södertörn Coordination Association and National Coordinator for the National Network of Coordination Associations (NNS).

Participants:

• Anna Tengqvist, National and International Coordinator, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, at Malmö University
• Emma Sterky, former Executive Secretary of the National Coordinator for Agenda 2030 Inquiry
• Kristin Bergwall, Executive Director, Coompanion Norrbotten
• Conny Göterfors, National Coordinator, Swedish ESF Council

Watch a video messagefrom Karin Ekdahl Wästberg, Director of Innovation, City of Stockholm
Watch a video messagefrom Åsa Eriksson, Member of Parliament, Social Democratic Party

Reviewer:Lena Abrahamsson, ProfessorofIndustrial Engineering and ManagementatLuleåUniversityof Technology

Observer: Ajda Asgari, Vice Chair, National Network for Coordination Associations (NNS)

In this session, you were introduced to Sunderby Folkhögskola and the “DC-Farming” project, which aims to foster partnerships between data centers and social enterprises that promote employment. DC-Farming utilizes surplus energy to grow fruits and vegetables in greenhouses, while creating job opportunities for people who are far from the labor market.  

We used DC-Farming as a case study to explore how we can improve our ability to explain the value of our innovations, present it in a simple way, and make it accessible to a wider audience.   

This session did not provide any ready-made answers; rather, our goal was to expand our collective knowledge based on the participants’ experience and expertise.

Moderator:
Tom Roodro, Project Manager, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden 

Participants:

• Catharina Ljungcrantz, Sunderby Folk High School
• Mattias Vesterlund, research program director at the RISE ICE data center in Luleå, and adjunct professor in Energy Technology at Luleå University of Technology
  

View the presentation from the session (PDF).

Reflector:
John Brauer, social worker, assistant professor, and Ph.D. at Örebro University 

Observer:
Karen Ask,Senior Consultant,VæksthusetsKompetencecenter

This sessionfeatured presentations on current research intoinnovative workplace inclusion by researchers from various universities and disciplines.

JohnBrauer, assistant professor of social work at Örebro University, presented his research on municipal initiatives to help people enter the labor market.Charlotte PeterssonTroije, PhD in Work and Social Life Studies atMalmö University, presented her research on the potential of working outdoors for an innovative and sustainable working life. Maria Wolmesjö, professor of social work at the University of Borås, presented her research on innovative solutions for increased inclusion in working life and welfare.Participants were also given the opportunity todiscusshowthis researchrelates to theirownorganizations andtoworking lifeingeneral. 

Moderator:
Gloria-Karin López, Project Manager, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden
Malin Lindberg, Visiting Professor of Social Innovation at Malmö University.

Participants:

• Maria Wolmesjö, University of Borås.See Maria’s presentation (PDF).
• John Brauer, Örebro University.View John’s presentation here (PDF).
• Charlotte Petersson Troije, Mälardalen University and Malmö University.View Charlotte’s presentation here (PDF).  

Reflector: 
Malin Lindberg, visiting professor of social innovation at Malmö University.

Observer:
AzamatAziSalakhov, socialentrepreneur, Drevet

This workshop presented how Nya Kompisbyrån has worked with target group involvement (MI) in recent years. Together with Olivera and Eman, who have both participated in two different projects, experiences and perspectives were shared with a particular focus on the work with the expert group in Uppsala Yrkesmentor. During the workshop, we reflected on lessons learned and challenges, such as building trust and ensuring that all voices are heard. The presentation was followed by a discussion of a model for “co-creation” and concluded with small-group discussions where participants had the opportunity to share ideas and insights on how work with target group involvement can be improved and developed in the future.

Moderator:
Thomas Lidén, provides project support at Competence Centre for Social Innovation

Participants:

• Matilda Hardmeier, Project Manager at Nya Kompisbyrån
• Eman Mohisen, member of the expert group at Nya Kompisbyrån
• Olivera Miladinovic, intern at Nya Kompisbyrån

View the presentation from the session (PDF).

Speaker:Johanna Lindberg, Ph.D. candidate and project manager for digital transformation, Luleå University of Technology
Observer:Ylva Löwenborg, regional director at Save the Children North and chair of Samforma and Amnesty International Sweden

In this session, participants heard examples from Swedish municipalities where stakeholders from various sectors of society work together to identify societal challenges and co-create innovative solutions. They described how they go about to address societal challenges locally and strengthen their local capacity to identify and address these challenges. The session also featured a presentation of an upcoming ESF call for proposals on local initiatives related to social innovation for an inclusive workforce. 

Moderator:
Joel Veborg, Project Manager, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden 

Participants:
Helena Andersson Tsiamanis, Eskilstuna Municipality
Farzan Mozaffari, Right by me
Agnes Thunell, Reach for Change
Anna Tengqvist, National and International Coordinator, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, at Malmö University
Johnny Karlsson, National Coordinator, Swedish ESF Council
Conny Göterfors, National Coordinator, Swedish ESF Council

Reviewer: 
Anna-Karin Lindqvist, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, Luleå University of Technology 

Observer:
Anna Sandström Emmelin,development strategist specializing in sustainable urban development, Umeå Municipality

Session materials:  
The reportRegional Collaboration on Societal Challenges – A Survey of Examples of Long-Term Organization (2024),read the report.