At the end of January 2021, together with CERUSI project partners, we launched “RSI: Innovation Academy” on the Skyrocket platform – an online course dedicated to innovators, social entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to expand their knowledge on implementing social innovations in rural areas and urban peripheries. The course will be available until the end of February 2022. The “RSI: Innovation Academy” course consists of five thematic modules:
Strengthening and developing rural and peripheral areas
Identifying local community needs
Designing a business model
Designing measurement of social innovation outcomes
Designing environmentally and socially friendly activities
As part of the Academy, participants gain free access to expert interviews, numerous tools designed by specialists, practical advice and examples of innovative solutions implemented in Europe, quizzes summarizing the acquired knowledge, and the opportunity to receive a personalized certificate upon completion of all five modules. The course is the result of international collaboration and has the added advantage of offering instruction in seven languages – Polish, English, German, Italian, Czech, Slovak, and Slovenian.
To participate in the course, simply create an account on the Skyrocket platform. When registering, remember to select “RSI Academy” in the registration form.
MODULE 1 – STRENGTHENING AND DEVELOPING RURAL AND PERIPHERAL AREAS
The first module is an introduction to the RIS: Innovation Academy course and aims to inspire participants to develop their own social innovation ideas, better understand the course methodology, and analyze challenges, then compare them to local conditions.
In Module 1, participants can hear, among other things, expert opinions on “Support Methodology for Social Enterprises” and learn about “Ganz.Kultur” – a cultural center in northeastern Brandenburg where visitors from large urban centers such as Berlin engage with the local community.
Introductory Video
MODULE 2 – IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
In Module 2, participants will learn how to create social innovations that address specific needs and values.
Social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs will find tips on how to build a flexible and cost-effective design and development model.
Investors will learn what to look for when identifying social enterprises and initiatives that have a real social impact and demonstrate sustainable results.
Policymakers will discover useful tips for creating programs that leverage innovative solutions from the communities they manage and scale them at the systemic level, avoiding misinvestments.
Residents of rural or peripheral areas who want to influence the social development of their region will learn how to present their community’s specific needs to investors and how to participate in the implementation of their projects.
Module 2 includes lectures on “Design Thinking,” renewable energy, and technology supporting people with disabilities.
Introductory Video
MODULE 3 – DESIGNING A BUSINESS MODEL
During this lesson, participants will learn more about the social business model. This module provides a comprehensive discussion of key preparation phases before launching a social business, as well as methods and tools to help you choose the right model to maximize local community engagement.
Module 3 includes:
An interview with Norbert Kunz, Executive Director of Social Impact. The main topic of the interview is the foundations of running a successful social business.
An interview with Dr. Nicole Siebold, who explains how to design a social business model.
Specialists in generating social impact will guide participants through project development (using Oskar’s village shop as an example) and explain the basics of the Business Model Canvas.
Introductory video
MODULE 4 – DESIGNING A MEASUREMENT FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION IMPACTS
Module 4 discusses how to design and implement a system that will monitor and evaluate the impact of social innovation, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. Thanks to this lesson:
Social innovators will learn how measuring impact can significantly increase the effectiveness of their businesses.
Investors will learn basic methods for assessing the impact of invested businesses.
Decision-makers will receive the tools necessary to properly assess the impact of policy interventions.
The program includes a lecture on “Theory of Change” and the “I-O-O-I” model, as well as an interview with Professor Barbara Scheck, lecturer in entrepreneurship at Munich Business School.
Introductory video
MODULE 5 – DESIGNING ENVIRONMENTALLY AND SOCIALLY SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES
Module 5 focuses on designing and implementing environmentally friendly businesses. Ecological sustainability, the circular economy, and open innovation are key themes of this module. More specifically:
Social entrepreneurs will learn project development methods based on the principles of the circular economy and open innovation. Investors will learn how to obtain information on the environmental sustainability of social projects and their integration into local stakeholder networks.
Decision-makers will receive guidance on how the circular economy and open innovation can contribute to the sustainable development of individual regions.
Residents who want to contribute to their communities will learn how to engage partners and leverage their expertise to ensure the sustainability of their project.
Introductory video
