Applications open for social innovation projects
The ideas competition is open until 3 October and aims to support the development of social innovation projects with a positive impact in Coimbra and Cantanhede.
The Social and Research Innovation Incubator (ISII), coordinated by the Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra, launched this summer the competition “Com Curso de Ideias Caminhos para a Transformação Social” [Ideas competition: Paths to Social Transformation] to support the development of social innovation projects with a positive impact in the Coimbra and Cantanhede regions.
According to Cláudia Carvalho, coordinator of the academic incubator: “This is an opportunity to turn ideas into tangible actions with real social impact. Project proposals can address a wide range of areas relevant to local communities, including social interaction, housing and space use, culture and participation, safety, health and the environment, ageing, social isolation, mental health of both young and elderly people, and ethics of care.”
Project ideas must be submitted by 3 October via the website https://isii.ces.uc.pt/call, where you can find detailed information about the process, including required documentation and the full competition rules. Winning projects will receive support to develop and implement their proposals, as well as training and guidance from a multidisciplinary team and access to workspaces in Coimbra and Cantanhede.
ISII is a Centre for Impact Entrepreneurship, established under the Portugal Social Innovation 2030 programme and developed by the Centre for Social Studies in partnership with the University of Coimbra and the Faculty of Economics. The project also receives support from the municipalities of Coimbra and Cantanhede, the company Crioestaminal, and a private donation from Sogrape and the 2023 Dona Antónia Awards.