Header-RedEuropea-InnovacionInclusion-EuropeanNetwork-AccioncontraHambre

EUROPEAN FORUM

WHAT IS THE
EUROPEAN FORUM?

This event, organized by the European Network of Innovation for Inclusion and led by Action Against Hunger, is an annual meeting that brings together European experts in social innovation, inclusive employment, and entrepreneurship.

This 13th edition, themed “The path of social innovation towards systemic change,” took place in Madrid on 26 November at the Action Against Hunger Auditorium and was broadcasted live on the YouTube channel of Acción Social España (in Spanish) and the LinkedIn account of the European Network of Innovation for Inclusion (in English), making it accessible to participants and organizations across Europe.

In a defining phase for the future of social innovation in Europe and with the next programming period of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) starting to take shape, the Forum becomes a strategic space to analyse the latest developments, identify the most effective initiatives, and strengthen evidence-based approaches to impact. Its ultimate goal is to drive large-scale transformation, reinforce social cohesion, and inspire more inclusive and resilient public policies across Europe.

This year, the Forum has explored how to bridge evidence and policymaking, combining theoretical reflection with tangible, measurable experiences. It highlighted social innovation initiatives that—through active collaboration among public institutions, businesses, and civil society organisations—are driving systemic change, transforming communities, and fostering inclusive employment and entrepreneurship across Europe.

SPEAKERS

ENG-Speaker-European-Forum-13-Inclusion-Innovation-Europe

GorkaEspiau-Speakers-13thEuropeanForum-EuropeanNetwork

Victoria-Bazurto-Speakers-13thEuropeanForum-EuropeanNetwork

Batomeu-Ayala-Speakers-13thEuropeanForum-EuropeanNetwork

AGENDA

09:00 am Registration

09:30 am Social innovation towards systemic change in Europe

This opening session will highlight the crucial role of social innovation within the EU framework and why this is a key moment to recognise and amplify its impact. Speakers will discuss how social organisations can further strengthen the value of their work and contribute to shaping more inclusive, sustainable, and transformative European policies.

Patricia Pérez-Gómez Delaunay, Head of the Unit for Employment, Skills and Social Policies for Spain and Malta at the European Commission
Patricia Bezunartea Barrio, General Director of Family Diversity and Social Services for the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda
Ángel María García Frontelo, Deputy Director General of the European Social Fund Administrative Unit – UAFSE

10:30 am The goal of systemic change, close or still far?

This session will explore the concept of systemic change from a theoretical and capacity-building perspective. It will provide participants with frameworks and insights to better understand what systemic change entails, what barriers remain, and how innovation ecosystems can accelerate progress towards it.

Gorka Espiau, Director of the Agirre Lehendakaria Center (ALC) for Social and Political Studies
Miquel de Paladella, CEO of UpSocial

11:30 am Coffee break

12:00 pm Social innovations paving the way to systemic change

This session will showcase practical examples of social innovations that have made tangible progress towards systemic transformation. Presenters will share experiences of initiatives that have influenced or reshaped public policies, fostered multi-stakeholder collaborations, and integrated holistic approaches to achieve lasting and structural impact.

Pilot projects on integrated learning pathways
Sara Buesa, Director of Inclusion, Basque Government
Plataforma Vidas
Judith Sala Morales, Partner, consultant, and social researcher, Tangente
Territoires zéro chômeur de longue durée (Long term unemployed territories)
Victoria Bazurto, Head of Research and Evaluation Monitoring, Territoires Zéro Chômeur de Longue Durée
Common Agendas
Bartomeu Ayala, Head of Health and Social Innovation at Althaia, University Healthcare Network of Manresa

14:00 am Closing & networking aperitif

Background-Color-ACH-EuropeanNetwork-Green

EXPLORE THE LATEST TOPICS

Sin resultados

Background-Color-ACH-EuropeanNetwork-Brown

PAST EDITIONS

Since 2012, Action Against Hunger has organized the European Forum as a key platform to support the transfer and scaling of social innovations that contribute to a more inclusive labour market. Over the years, it has brought together organizations, policymakers, and social innovators across Europe, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and practical approaches to strengthening labour market inclusion.

Each edition promotes collaboration among members, offers guidance to organizations working with social innovations, and creates a space to discuss challenges, share lessons learned, and advance solutions that help build a more inclusive and resilient European labour ecosystem.