European Social Innovation Campus (ESIC)
Apply here – Deadline 1st February!
Rethink Ireland is proud to partner in the European Social Innovation Campus (ESIC) — a bold Erasmus+ alliance working to transform how social-economy leaders are trained, supported, and empowered across Europe.
In a time of rapid digital and green transitions, ESIC is creating the pathways, tools, and training people need to thrive in tomorrow’s social economy.
What Is ESIC?
The European Social Innovation Campus brings together 15 partners from 10 countries — universities, vocational education providers, social-economy organisations, and EU-level networks — united by one mission:
To develop strategic approaches to facilitate the co-creation, scaling-up and replication of social innovations, with easy-accessible education for all levels, to add knowledge and skills of social innovation to the European workforce.
Running from 2023 to 2027, ESIC is funded by Erasmus+ and designed to address a pressing need: thousands of social-economy workers across Europe require new skills each year to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. ESIC is creating a coordinated, evidence-based solution at scale.
Why It Matters
The social economy plays a vital role in building inclusive, sustainable societies. But its leaders must be equipped with the right mix of skills — from digital competence and green-transition knowledge to entrepreneurial mindsets and social innovation capabilities.
ESIC answers that need by:
- Reducing skills gaps across Europe
- Improving access to high-quality training
- Supporting mobility and collaboration across countries
- Strengthening the long-term resilience of the social economy
Rethink Ireland’s Role
As Ireland’s national foundation for social innovation, Rethink Ireland brings its on-the-ground expertise in supporting changemakers, scaling social enterprises, and strengthening ecosystems, taking the lead on co-developing the Incubator and Accelerator pilot programmes.
Through ESIC, we:
- Contribute to curriculum development and training design
- Support research, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement
- Ensure Irish social innovators, educators, and communities benefit from ESIC’s European-wide learning
- Help shape a more connected, capable, and future-ready social-economy sector
Accelerator Programme (Pilot)
The Accelerator Programme is a six-month pilot initiative designed to help social innovators strengthen, refine, and scale their impact. Through a blend of expert facilitation, peer learning, hands-on tools, and access to European-level networks, participants will co-create the foundations of a new model for supporting social innovation across Europe.
As this is a pilot, participants will play an active role in shaping the future of the programme—your experience and insights will directly influence what comes next.
Who Is It For?
The Accelerator is designed for mid-cycle or scaling social innovations and early-stage social enterprises that are ready to take the next step in their organisational development.
Ideal participants are:
- Working on a social innovation or enterprise with growth potential
- Interested in European collaboration and co-creation
- Open to peer learning and reflective practice
Up to 30 participants from across the EU will be selected. The programme includes two in-person days in Ireland, which are optional for participants outside Ireland.
Why Join?
Participants in the pilot will benefit from:
- Guided facilitation from experienced social innovation practitioners
- Peer support and a European learning community
- Tailored feedback on their social innovation challenges
- Networking opportunities with experts and fellow innovators
- Mentorship to strengthen organisational and strategic development
- Insight into co-creating a European innovation programme
All participants will receive a Participation Certificate and/or a LinkedIn digital badge via learning platform.
What's Included
The Accelerator provides a structured, yet flexible learning experience built around:
Programme Structure
- 4 thematic modules
- 6 months of learning and development
- Approximately 4 hours per week
- Hybrid delivery (online via learning platform Howspace + two in-person days)
- Group sessions and 1:1 support
Pedagogical Approach
Participants will engage through:
- Interactive and problem-solving sessions
- Experiential and applied learning
- Site visits
- Collaborative activities and peer feedback
- Ongoing evaluation and reflection
Programme Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Social Innovation
- Digital, Green & Just Transitions
Module 2: Stakeholder Engagement & Co-Creation
- Designing Social Innovation
Module 3: Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Business
- Building sustainable models and organisational resilience
Module 4: Impact Measurement & Systems Change
- Understanding, measuring, and amplifying impact
Where and When
The pilot will run from March 2026 to August 2026.
The programme format includes:
- Online learning and collaboration via Howspace
- Two in-person days: one in Dublin and one in a second location determined by participant distribution
- Hybrid group workshops and one-to-one consultant support
How to Apply
Apply here – Deadline 1st February!
Applications can be submitted via the learning platform (Howspace). The application period is from the 1st of December until the 1st of February.
The application includes an interview and dates will be confirmed.
Selection Criteria:
- A social innovation that is ready to accelerate
- A developed Business Model Canvas
- Theory of Change (not mandatory)
- Video Pitch
The application will be assessed on: Social Impact, Innovation, Social Business Model Canvas, Leadership, Story Telling.
Application Deadline: 1 February 2026
Programme Kick-Off: March 2026 (details to be confirmed)
