From August 29 to September 1, a 4-day training on Social Innovation took place in Prague, Czech Republic, bringing together over 40 young people and youth professionals from 13 countries. The event was organised by Caritas Czech Republic and involved participants from Caritas Europe, Caritas Slovenia, Caritas Finland, and the YES Forum.
The training aimed to equip participants with the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to actively engage in civic life at both the local and EU levels. It formed part of the wider YES project, which supports youth in identifying and addressing social challenges through innovation and empowerment.
Throughout the training, the methodology emphasised active engagement, including simulation games, roleplay, group and individual work, creative exercises, and multimedia tools. Participants not only learned to develop innovative solutions but also acquired the skills to initiate their own social projects, while understanding the socio-political context behind the challenges they chose to address.
This training served as a collaborative space for youth to explore social challenges, co-create solutions, and strengthen their identity as active citizens and changemakers, bridging the local and European dimensions of civic engagement.
Day-by-day
The first day introduced the theme of youth as changemakers, encouraging participants to explore what it means to take action within their communities and beyond. Through interactive activities, participants began shaping their identities as active citizens and agents of change. The concept of social innovation and its core methodologies was presented as a foundation for addressing societal issues with creativity and purpose.
The second day, titled Understanding Communities and Social Needs, began with an exploration of the various social issues affecting participants' communities. Through group discussions, young people identified mental health, housing, and peace and security as the most pressing challenges they wanted to address. The session then focused on how to define and understand social problems, laying the groundwork for meaningful change.
On the third day, under the theme From Insight to Impact, participants explored innovative approaches to tackling these challenges. They engaged in workshops on co-creation, design thinking, and stakeholder mapping, and began the process of designing concrete solutions. This included prototyping ideas and co-developing impactful interventions. The day also featured a visit to the Europa Experience Center, where participants learned about the EU’s decision-making processes through an interactive exhibition.
The final day focused on deepening participants’ understanding of the European Union and how young people can engage with its policymaking structures, led by the YES Forum. Through group work participants explored opportunities for youth participation at the EU level. The training concluded with a reflection and integration segment, where participants considered their personal development, their vision as changemakers, and how they plan to apply their experience moving forward.
