We’re launching innovations for Silesia! We’re opening the application process on February 8th, looking for innovative ideas that will effectively address the region’s pressing needs. If you have an idea for a social innovation in Silesia, we’d love to hear from you! The best ideas can receive support of up to nearly 100,000 PLN for the development and implementation of a specific solution. The application process runs from February 8th to March 17th. The competition for the most interesting social innovations in Silesia is being implemented as part of the Silesian Innovation Space project by the Cooperation Fund Foundation and the CRIS Center for the Development of Social Initiatives. This three-year initiative aims to engage Silesian residents in solving the problems they face every day and instill in them the belief that innovations are often simple solutions within their reach.
The competition is nationwide. This means that the initiator does not have to be from or live in Silesia. However, they should be familiar with the specific social problems of the region or local community to which they are targeting the innovation. Innovations can be submitted in six thematic areas:
depopulation,
development of white jobs,
development of green jobs,
low employment rate for women,
low employment rate for people aged 50+,
reducing the social impact of energy poverty,
social urban revitalization
There are two tracks to participate in the competition. The first is the “challenge” track, which includes 34 specific, regional problems that require solutions. The catalog of challenges can be found on the project website, in the “Become an Innovator” tab. The second is the “topic” track, which is for those with their own innovation idea beyond the list of 34 challenges. However, this requires finding an entity interested in testing the solution.
Selected innovators will receive a grant of up to PLN 45,000 for service design development and a further PLN 50,000 for implementation. This process will be supported by innovation mentors in terms of content and organization. A total of 40 innovative ideas will receive support throughout the project. The competition is scheduled to launch on February 8th of this year. Applications will be accepted via the form available on the project website: www.slaska.miejscnnowacji.pl until March 17, 2021.
