B-WISE National Promotional Event in Italy

On October 5th and 6th, the Event "Idee in Testa, Idee in Festa", national promotional event for B-WISE in Italy, took place at DumBo, a regenerated urban space in Bologna. The event was part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Idee In Rete together with international and national guestshosted a presentation of the B-WISE project given by the Italian partners of the project.

EURICSE's presentation delved into a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and emerging trends facing Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) across Europe. With a primary focus on identifying skill gaps, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the team drew insights from extensive research conducted under WP1 "Research - State of the Art." Utilizing data gathered from 27 country fiches, alongside face-to-face interviews and online surveys conducted across the 13 B-WISE partner countries, EURICSE provided a nuanced examination of WISEs' dynamics.

Led by Giulia Tallarini, the presentation explored various dimensions, ranging from the defining characteristics of WISEs in Europe to country-specific elements such as integration models, legal frameworks, and resource dependencies. Notably, attention was dedicated to analyzing public policies and support measures tailored to WISEs, shedding light on the diverse landscape of social entrepreneurship across different European contexts. Furthermore, the presentation offered valuable insights into the diffusion of WISEs across select EU countries, providing data on workforce composition and the prevalence of support needs among employees.

In parallel, Idee In Rete presented their findings on the digital skill needs within WISEs, serving as a crucial link between research outcomes and future curriculum design efforts under WP2. Meanwhile, SCF elucidated the identified learning outcomes and their alignment with WISEs' competency requirements, emphasizing the necessity of targeted skill development initiatives. AIAS contributed to the discourse by exploring the intersection of employment, disability, and technology, showcasing innovative solutions and best practices in fostering inclusive workplaces.

Additionally, Italian partners introduced two training courses aimed at enhancing the capabilities of professionals engaged in employment integration endeavors. These initiatives, part of the Dissemination Pilot Action, underscored the collaborative efforts within the B-WISE project to address pressing challenges and promote sustainable growth in the social entrepreneurship sector. By convening stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including WISEs, vocational education providers, and policymakers, the event facilitated knowledge exchange and laid the groundwork for future strategies aimed at advancing social inclusion and economic resilience.

The event served as a platform to formally introduce the B-WISE project. As the project's primary aim is to develop a European strategy for addressing the skills needs, particularly in the digital skills domain, within the Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) sector, it was completely in line with the profile of participants as this sector plays a vital role in promoting social inclusion and employment. On the other hand, the event provided an ideal setting to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including international and national guests, WISEs, social cooperatives, vocational education and training (VET) providers, researchers, and policy makers. These diverse participants were united in their commitment to advancing social entrepreneurship and sustainable growth. By convening these stakeholders and facilitating discussions, the event aimed to promote knowledge exchange, best practices sharing, and the development of forward-thinking strategies in the field of social entrepreneurship.

This event and conference played a crucial role in enhancing the visibility of the B-WISE project and the activities foreseen during the Pilot Action. By being formally introduced within the framework of Idee In rete's 20th-anniversary celebration, the B-WISE project garnered substantial attention and recognition from a wide audience. The event provided a platform for in-depth discussions and shared insights, thereby creating interest in the project. The presence of a diverse range of stakeholders and experts also contributed to a broader dissemination of the project's goals and objectives. The event effectively served as a catalyst for increasing awareness and engagement with the B-WISE project, which, in turn, is expected to lead to greater support, collaboration, and the successful implementation of the project's initiatives in the realm of social entrepreneurship.