Building Regional Capacity for Social Innovation through Clusters and Smart Specialisation

How can regions create the conditions for social innovation to take root, grow and deliver lasting impact?

Join the closing seminar of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project RESIST for a practical and forward-looking exchange on how regional innovation ecosystems, social innovation clusters and smart specialisation can help turn local ideas into stronger, more connected and more sustainable solutions to current challenges.

Designed for representatives of European regions and social innovation stakeholders this afternoon seminar will bring together regional experiences, policy perspectives and opportunities to connect with peers from across Europe. 

What you will take away

• Insights on how regional social innovation clusters strengthen ecosystems, connect actors and scale promising solutions

• Practical lessons from RESIST regions and across Europe on collaboration, ecosystem development and enabling social innovation

• A better understanding of how smart specialisation can support social innovation and more inclusive, resilient communities

• Perspectives on the future role of social innovation in EU regional policy and stronger cooperation across levels

• New contacts, potential partners and opportunities for collaboration.

The seminar will take place back-to-back with the European Social Innovation Forum 2026, held in Brussels on 7–8 October 2026. Together, the two events offer a valuable opportunity to explore social innovation from complementary perspectives — from strengthening regional ecosystems and policy frameworks to scaling impact, building evidence and inspiring collective action.

Preliminary Programme

12.00 – 13.00 Welcome lunch & registration

13.00 – 13.30 Opening

13.30 – 15.00 Can regional clusters help boost social innovation?

15.00 – 16.30 Can smart specialisation help boost social innovation?

16.30 – 17.10 What’s the future place of social innovation in EU regional policy?

17.10 – 17.30 Future cooperation and funding opportunities & seminar closing

17.30 – 19.00 Evening reception with drinks and fingerfood

Resist

Regional Ecosystems for Social Innovation and Social Transformation

The purpose of the EU-funded Interreg project Regional Ecosystems for Social Innovation and Social Transformation (RESIST) is to create better conditions for social innovation and social entrepreneurs in the Baltic Sea region. Through regional authorities, business development support organizations, and civil society organizations, a model is being developed to promote regional ecosystems for social innovation. Existing innovation support systems are being opened up to social innovators and entrepreneurs.

The project works with two solutions:

• A model for defining ecosystems locally and how these can be supported and developed.
• A capacity-building program for actors within existing support systems, enabling them to strengthen their ability to support social innovation.

Mötesplats Social Innovation coordinates various parts of the work packages within RESIST and contributes knowledge and experience in the field of social innovation. RESIST is an INTERREG Baltic Sea Region project.