How to Design a Better World! WSB University Co-Creates International Social Innovation Program

The Blended Intensive Program (BIP) titled "Designing Social Innovations Using Design Thinking and Participatory Methods" brought together students from various European universities to explore and develop impactful social innovations. The program was organized by Gabriela Węglarz, Małgorzata Małecka-Tomala, Marta Masłyk and Lubomira Trojan.

The BIP provided students with theoretical tools and frameworks essential for designing and implementing social innovations. Focusing on participatory methods and Design Thinking, the program demonstrated how to co-create human-centered solutions to social challenges. Students from 4 countries (Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia) collaborated in an interdisciplinary environment, deepening their understanding of social needs, stakeholder engagement, and innovation strategies.

Students:

• Understood the principles and frameworks of social innovation.
• Explored participatory methodologies for effective stakeholder engagement.
• Developed and applied Design Thinking tools to solve real-world problems.
• Created practical, sustainable solutions addressing contemporary social issues.

The course included lectures, workshops, collaboration sessions, and two study visits to meet successful social innovators.

BIP began on-line

The program began with online sessions featuring:

• Zuzanna Kozłowska (Ice breaking)
• Lubomira Trojan (Fundamentals of social innovation)
• Aleksandra Zemke (Design Thinking - founder of Smilemundo, an NGO creating innovative educational tools for sustainable development)

In-Person Workshops (March 31 - April 4)

Students participated in Design Thinking workshops led by Małgorzata Małecka-Tomala and sessions with:

• Lubomira Trojan, PhD (Design Thinking)
• Piotr Krowicki, PhD (marketing strategies for social innovation)
• Salomon Kunle Omogbemi (social innovation CSR in companies)
• Marta Masłyk (Ice-breaking)

Additionally, WSB University students Aigerim Urmatbekova and Gulnura Muratbekova from Danaker Association led workshops on integrating and supporting the Kyrgyz women's community in Poland.

The program's main goal was to initiate group projects (four groups) that could have a real impact on the region of Silesia. During their visit to WSB University, students explored several cities to gather information for their projects:

Katowice: Nikiszowiec district, Silesian Museum, and Silesian cuisine.
Cieszyn: Study visit to "Być Razem" Foundation (social innovations in real life) and Design Center

Various integration events were organized, such as the International Coffee Break, where students brought snacks and sweets from their countries to share, fostering cultural exchange and community building.

Project Presentations and Evaluation

At the end of the BIP, each group presented their projects, which were evaluated by WSB University experts:

• Lubomira Trojan, PhD
• Paweł Urgacz
• Denis Spahija
• Małgorzata Małecka-Tomala
• Marco Cillepi

A brief certificate award ceremony followed, led by the event organizers: Gabriela Węglarz, Małgorzata Małecka-Tomala, Marta Masłyk and Lubomira Trojan.

Participants from five European universities presented their prototypes of innovative solutions in the field of social innovation. The student teams focused on:

• Depopulation and aging society
• Low employment levels
• Issues related to degraded and devastated areas
• Improving environmental quality in the Silesian Voivodeship

Partner Universities: Linnaeus University, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in Austria, CUAS, Henallux Namur, University of Ljubljana, Ghent University