Esf-2022-soc-innov

As set out in the EPSR Action Plan, including notably in relation to principles 1, 4, 5, 8, 12, 17 and 20, deep transformations such as climate change, environmental challenges and digitalisation are fast changing our daily lives and are putting Europe’s social fabric to a test. Improving and adapting the EU’s ‘social rulebook’ is at the heart of Europe’s response to these changes, in accordance with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Digital Agenda. This includes fostering an economy that works for people; investing in education and training, enhancing skills and equipping people for new green and digital jobs; promoting social progress and strengthening social protection; and promoting just transitions and ensuring solidarity between generations, leaving no one behind and providing access to essential services for all. Social innovation and social acceptance are key elements of a successful transformation

The call aims to develop and test integrated and inclusive social innovation approaches – in schools or training centres, at work or in local communities, or other relevant environments - to foster just green and digital transitions, by:

- identifying and addressing (re-/up-)skilling and (re-)training needs stemming from new, green or digital products, services or technologies;

- fostering social acceptance and/or behavioural changes for more sustainable business models, consumption patterns and/or modes of transport;

- developing sustainability pathways and transformation tools for social economy actors;

- tailor solutions to the particular contexts starting from general models, such as the City Doughnut or macro level climate adaptation solutions, to other, business or local environments;

- promoting the implementation of the EPSR principle 20. Essential services, including energy, mobility and digital communications, in the context of the green and digital transitions.

The main objective is to enable and step up a fair green and digital transition by promoting and disseminating inclusive social innovation approaches in the areas above.

The foreseen results include:

• Greater uptake of new green and digital technologies

• New trainings to endow European citizens to make the most out the green and digital transitions

• Increase social acceptance and ownership for fairer and more sustainable business models

• Develop transformation tools for social economy actors

• Engage with local, regional, national authorities, as well as social partners and civil society at large to maximise the impact

The call aims to develop and test integrated and inclusive social innovation approaches – in schools or training centres, in the social economy, at work or in local communities, or other relevant environments - to foster just green and digital transitions, by pursuing and implementing one or several of the following activities: (i) identifying and addressing (re-/up-)skilling and (re-)training needs stemming from new, green or digital products, services or technologies; (ii) fostering social acceptance and/or behavioural changes for more sustainable business models, including in the social economy, consumption patterns and/or modes of transport; (iii) developing sustainability pathways and transformation tools for social economy actors; (iv) promoting the implementation of principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights on access to essential services, including energy, mobility and digital communications, in the context of the green and digital transitions.