The second phase of the project focused on knowledge transfer and diffusion, Open Innovation challenges (POSITIVE Impact Challenge), as well as on capitalisation and communication & dissemination activities. Key actions and achievements include:
• Implementation of 3 POSITIVE Impact Challenges (WP3): Successful completion in 3 countries with 176 participants, including solvers, mentors, testers, jury members, and social entrepreneurs.
• Gathering final results from the POSITIVE Impact Challenges (WP3): 16 innovation inputs (including service blueprints, click dummies, user personas and scenarios) and 16 factsheets developed.
• Implementation of 3 Regional Networking Workshops (WP4): Successful organisation in 3 countries with 56 participants.
• Implementation of the virtual pan-European Follow-Up Event (WP4): Successful organisation and two additional workshops with 99 social entrepreneurs gaining new skills.
• Development of a comprehensive POSITIVE Impact Challenge Toolkit (WP4): Development and dissemination of the POSITIVE Impact Challenge Playbook, including policy recommendations on supporting social entrepreneurship and step-by-step guidance for designing and implementing similar challenges.
• Implementation of the POSITIVE Final Capitalization Event in frame of the Social Enterprise and Innovation Forum 2024 in Vilnius, Lithuania (WP4): Successful organisation reaching 112 participants.
POSITIVE has reached the following outcomes:
• Strengthened links between social and tech innovation ecosystems in 3 countries, enhancing collaboration, knowledge transfer, and digital skills for social entrepreneurs.
• Over 60 tech ecosystem stakeholders trained in social innovation, improving support for social entrepreneurs.
• Increased awareness of social entrepreneurship among over 100 stakeholders, including tech ecosystem members and public authorities.
• Over 100 social entrepreneurs gained new business skills and access to financing through the 3 POSITIVE Impact Challenges, 3 Regional Networking Workshops, 2 additional workshops and the International Follow-Up Event.
• 16 social enterprises (seekers) cooperated with 84 students (solvers) to develop digital solutions for the SE challenges, creating 16 innovation inputs documented in Social Innovators factsheets.
• Over 100 stakeholders learned the methodology of the Open Innovation Challenge, with the POSITIVE Impact Challenge Playbook shared at the final event and widely spread through further dissemination activities.