Connecting ideas, knowledge, technology and communities to build solutions that work.
Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Venue: Center Rog, Trubarjeva cesta 72, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Attendance: free of charge — places are limited (100)
Registration: open from 1 September 2026
About the festival
Slovenia is holding its first national social innovation festival.
Demographic change, the environmental transition, digitalisation and widening inequalities call for solutions that are not developed only in policymakers’ offices or research labs, but within communities — and that generate measurable social impact alongside economic value. These are social innovations.
The Social Innovation Festival 2026 brings together, for the first time under one roof, the people who develop, fund, research and implement these solutions: social enterprises and cooperatives, impact-driven startups and companies, NGOs, municipalities and ministries, academia, funds and investors.
The festival is organised by the Competence Centre for Social Innovation (KCDI) as part of the European project SEED2SCALE, co-funded by the European Union (ESF+, Social Innovation + Initiative). Alongside the Slovenian community, project partners from other European countries will take part, opening up opportunities for international exchange of experience and new collaborations.
Registration
Registration is open from 1 September 2026 until all places are filled.
In the registration form, please indicate which parts of the programme you will attend, whether you need lunch, and any dietary or accessibility requirements.
If the form does not load, use the direct link: registration form.
What to expect
Keynote contributions by distinguished guests
Two keynote contributions by recognised experts in social economy and social innovation — grounded in practice, with a forward-looking perspective.
Panel on good practices in social innovation
A discussion with the people behind working solutions across different fields — from social inclusion and health to the circular economy, education and technology — together with representatives of municipalities, policymakers and funders.
Fair of good practices in social innovation
An exhibition space where organisations and companies present their working social innovations. An opportunity for direct questions, feedback and new contacts.
Interactive consultation groups
Work in smaller groups on how to address local community challenges effectively through social innovation and the social economy. Each group brings together practitioners, a municipality, policymakers, funders and academia.
Presentation of financial mechanisms
An overview of the available sources and mechanisms for developing, financing and scaling social innovations.
Networking
Breaks, lunch and the open space around the fair are dedicated to meeting people — often the part of the programme from which concrete collaborations emerge.
Key topics
- The national strategy and action plan for social innovation in Slovenia
- Transferring and scaling good practices into new settings and sectors
- Financial mechanisms for the sustainable development and survival of social innovations
- Quality standards and measuring social impact
- The role of municipalities and local communities in adopting innovative solutions
- Greater visibility and public recognition of social innovation
Draft programme
An outline of the day. The detailed programme with confirmed speakers will be published after 15 September 2026.
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 9.00 – 9.30 | Arrival and registration of participants |
| 9.30 – 10.00 | Opening of the festival: welcome addresses |
| 10.00 – 11.15 | First keynote contribution and questions from the audience |
| 11.15 – 11.45 | Coffee break, networking and fair of good practices (group 1) |
| 11.50 – 13.20 | Panel on good practices in social innovation and discussion with the audience |
| 13.30 – 14.30 | Lunch and networking |
| 14.30 – 15.30 | Interactive consultation groups and presentation of financial mechanisms |
| 15.30 – 16.00 | Coffee break, networking and fair of good practices (group 2) |
| 16.05 – 17.15 | Second keynote contribution, questions and closing of the festival |
The fair of good practices takes place in the foyer of the hall.
Who the festival is for
- Social innovators, social enterprises and cooperatives — for visibility, feedback and contacts with policymakers and funders.
- Municipalities and public institutions — to learn about proven models for solving local challenges in partnership with civil society and business.
- Impact-driven companies and startups — to connect with an ecosystem that can support the growth of their solution.
- Funds, funders and investors — for insight into promising solutions with measurable social impact.
- Academia and the professional community — to transfer research knowledge into practice and back again.
- Anyone interested in solutions that work — the festival is open to all.
Practical information
Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Time: 9.00 – 17.15 (registration from 9.00)
Venue: Center Rog, Trubarjeva cesta 72, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Fee: The festival is co-funded by the European Union (ESF+, Social Innovation+ Initiative), so attendance is free of charge.
Places: 100. Registrations are accepted until all places are filled.
Language: The festival is held in Slovenian. Interpretation into English is provided for the main parts of the programme.
Accessibility: When registering, you can let us know about any dietary requirements or other accessibility needs. We will do our best to make your participation barrier-free.
Catering: Lunch is provided for registered participants (meat, vegan and pescatarian options). Please indicate your choice when registering.
Sustainability: The festival is designed as a sustainable event — with minimal printed materials, carefully planned catering and a selection of local suppliers, including social enterprises.
Contact and organiser
Competence Centre for Social Innovation (KCDI)
Email: info@sccsi.si
Web: sccsi.si
The festival takes place as part of the SEED2SCALE project, co-funded by the European Union (ESF+, Social Innovation + Initiative).
Partners: Technology Park Ljubljana · Impact Hub Ljubljana · BSC Business Support Centre Kranj · Hashnet · Center Noordung
The Social Innovation Festival 2026 is co-funded by the European Union (ESF+, Social Innovation+ Initiative). Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union.
