2 May 2014, Paris, France, Startup Weekend HEC Paris
5-7 May 2014, Paris, France, OuiShare Fest 2014
6 May 2014, How to become a good Social Innovator?-Webinar with Geoff Mulgan
7 May 2014, London, UK, The ACEVO Gathering of Social Leaders
8-9 May 2014, Bochum, Germany, International Conference of Social and Solidarity Finance 2014
9-11 May 2014, Strasbourg, France, European Youth Event 2014
12-13 May 2014, Stockholm, Sweden, Global Forum on Migration and Development Civil Society Days 2014
13 May 2014, London, UK, The Public Sector Show 2014
13 May 2014, Göteborg, Sweden, Social Franchising Conference 2
15 May 2014, Oslo, Norway, PfC Conference 2014
15 May 2014, Lund, Sweden, European Social Business Forum
15 May 2014, worldwide, International Day of Families
15-17 May 2014, Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina, 25th European Foundation Centre (EFC) Annual General Assembly and Conference
16-17 May 2014, London, UK, Living it Festival
19 May 2014, London, UK, Unlocking social finance
19-20 May 2014, Brussels, Belgium, European Commission high-level conference on social policy innovation
20 May 2014, Brussels, Belgium, Awards Ceremony of the 2nd European Social Innovation Competition
21 May 2014, Paris, France, IMPACT² Conference
2 May 2014, Paris, France
Startup Weekend HEC Paris
Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend is centered around action, innovation, and education.
To read more: http://www.eventbrite.com/
5-7 May 2014, Paris, France
OuiShare Fest 2014
OuiShare Fest 14 will explore “The Age of Communities”. Connected by shared values, knowledge, resources or by digital and physical spaces, communities are transforming cities, organizations and civic action everywhere in the world. They are driving movements such as collaborative consumption, open source, makers and fablabs, coworking, crowdfunding, alternative currencies and more. How do these pieces fit together? What is the bigger picture? At this year’s OuiShare Fest, entrepreneurs and social innovators, non-profit and business leaders, grassroots activists and public officials will gather in one place to build a common vision of a collaborative society.
To read more: http://www.ouisharefest.com/
6 May 2014
How to become a good Social Innovator?-Webinar with Geoff Mulgan
The new study program “Master of Arts in Social Innovation” at Danube University Krems (Austria), which will start its new course on 16th of June 2014, proudly wants to inform all those, who are interested in Social Innovation, that Geoff Mulgan will participate in a webinar on 6th of May 2014, 3pm (MEZ).
Geoff Mulgan CBE (born 1961) is Chief Executive of the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) and Visiting Professor at University College London, the London School of Economics and the University of Melbourne.
At the beginning of the Webinar participants will get information about the master’s course on Social Innovation from the Course Director and after this Geoff Mulgan as one of the world-leading Social Innovators will give a short insight into his work and will answer questions.
The webinar is free of charge.
To read more: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/socialinnovationeurope/
7 May 2014, London, UK
The ACEVO Gathering of Social Leaders
This event is ACEVO flagship spring event where ACEVO brings together the most influential public and political leaders with ACEVO members – charity and social enterprise chief executives – from across the UK. This year's gathering is entitled 'One Year to Go.' It takes place exactly one year before the General Election of 7 May 2015. This day will be about putting the voluntary sector at the top of the political agenda. This is the best and only opportunity to ask serious questions of the writers of the major political party manifestos, representatives from all three major parties, and the Minister and Shadow Minister for Civil Society. It will be the best venue to influence, discuss and share ideas. Speakers include: Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society, will lead a discussion on putting the Sector at the top of the political agenda; Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos MORI, will give his unrivalled insight into the political climate for the voluntary sector with one year to go until the general election; Jon Cruddas MP will lead a discussion about people powered public services and the Labour manifesto; Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Minister for Civil Society, will lead a discussion about innovation and sustaining our sector's future.
8-9 May 2014, Bochum, Germany
International Conference of Social and Solidarity Finance 2014
The International Association of Investors in the Social Economy (INAISE) will organize the 2014 International Conference of Social and Solidarity Finance (Thursday 8th May) together with a field visit/ roundtrip around the topic “Education and Cooperatives” (Friday 9th May). These events will be held thanks to the invitation issued by GLS Bank, Oikocredit and the Institute for Social Banking, in Bochum, Germany. The conference topic is “Mobilising social finance globally – learning from each other”. This event will be exceptional because INAISE shall celebrate jointly 25 years of INAISE, 35 years of Oikocredit Westdeutscher Förderkreis and 40 years of GLS Bank in Germany. The purpose of this INAISE event is to create a space for international convergence efforts on social and solidarity finance to give visibility to the different practices of finance promoting the development of the social and solidarity economy. This conference will provide a space of exchange, analysis and dialogue between participants from very different contexts and environments, however, sharing visions and trajectories with converging approaches. The conference will address four topics articulating the challenges and issues of social and solidarity finance: cooperatives, agriculture, renewable energies and solidarity activities.
To read more: http://www.inaise.org/
9-11 May 2014, Strasbourg, France
European Youth Event 2014
The European Youth Event 2014 (EYE) will take place at the European Parliament's seat in Strasbourg. With the motto "Ideas for a better Europe" this event will bring together thousands of young Europeans aged between 16 and 30.
Participants will be invited to meet with European decision-makers and speakers with a wide range of professional experience to exchange ideas and perspectives on youth-related issues, develop new, innovative ways and solutions to crucial questions for the future and experience the rich cultural diversity within the European Union through the staging of various cultural performances.
To read more: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eye2014/en/news/news.html
12-13 May 2014, Stockholm, Sweden
Global Forum on Migration and Development Civil Society Days 2014
The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) will once again bring together more than 200 migrant and civil society leaders from all over the world. The GFMD Civil Society Days will be held on 12 – 13 May at the Münchenbryggeriet Conference Centre in Stockholm, Sweden. The Common Space with Governments will be held at the same venue on 14 May, and the GFMD Government Days will take place at the same location on 15-16 May. Global civil society embraces the 2014 GFMD as the first global opportunity to capitalize on the outcomes of the 2013 High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development and to drive forward civil society Five Year Action Agenda.
13 May 2014, London, UK
The Public Sector Show 2014
The Public Sector Show 2014 is a specialised, free to attend, event for professionals from across the entire public sector, charities, social enterprises and other voluntary organisations who are involved in any form of public service delivery. 2014’s theme is ‘doing things differently’, with the Show highlighting how public sector organisations can and are striving to improve public service and increase efficiency. With the plenary featuring a keynote address from Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, a diverse and comprehensive seminar programme and large-scale exhibition, the Show offers an unrivalled opportunity to network, discuss and engage with those at the forefront of the sector.
13 May 2014, Göteborg, Sweden
Social Franchising Conference 2
Social franchising has been touted about Europe as a key means of speeding up the growth of the social economy and the employment of disadvantaged people. Today there are more than 60 European social franchises employing over 10,000 people, over 60% of them being economically disadvantaged. So maybe the promise is becoming reality.
The 2nd European Social Franchising Network conference is being organised by European Social Franchising Network (ESFN) and Coompanion Göteborgsregionen . The first conference was held in London in 2011 with 130 participants from across Europe, including a third of all existing social franchisors. The second conference in Sweden on 13 May 2014 will look at the experiences of social franchising across Europe. It will give entrepreneurs and others an opportunity to share best practice and look at financing the growth of social franchising. Leading exponents of social franchising will be sharing what they have learnt with policy makers from governments and agencies across Europe.
To read more: http://socialfranchising.coop/
15 May 2014, Oslo, Norway
PfC Conference 2014
The PfC Conference 2014, organized in Oslo on 15 May, provides insight and inspiration for social innovation. It will be a day of sharing and learning when 40 distinguished speakers tell their stories of change. With broad experience and unique expertise they will motivate and challenge participants to act for a better and warmer society. Partnership for Change 2014 welcomes everyone – from all sectors and levels of society – who wants to help shape a safe, equal and more sustainable world.
15 May 2014, Lund, Sweden
European Social Business Forum
Over the last years social business has become a recognized business model in Europe. The concept was picked up by the European Union and is at the core of its economic strategy. Social business aims to create sustainable solutions to address economic and social problems both locally and internationally.
Building on a successful first European Social Business Forum in 2013, this year's forum again brings together social business experts and practitioners, academics, policy makers and social investors. A diverse program offers plenty of opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas and further develop the social business movement in Europe.
In this context Prof. Yunus will also give a public speech on the Friday following the European Social Business Forum
To read more: http://www.grameencreativelab.com/esbf2014
15 May 2014, worldwide
International Day of Families
The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
The International Day of Families has inspired a series of awareness-raising events, including national family days. In many countries, that day provides an opportunity to highlight different areas of interest and importance to families. Activities include workshops and conferences, radio and television programmes, newspaper articles and cultural programmes highlighting relevant themes.
To read more: http://www.un.org/en/events/familyday/
15-17 May 2014, Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina
25th European Foundation Centre (EFC) Annual General Assembly and Conference
Some 500 foundations, partners and local actors will join the European Foundation Centre (EFC) from 15-17 May 2014 in Sarajevo to discuss issues such as social and economic renewal, reconciliation, health, gender, environment, peace education, the arts and media, which all play a part in building and sustaining unified, stable and peaceful societies in the Western Balkans, Europe and worldwide. “Rethinking Europe: Solidarity, civil society and political governance” is the theme of the 25th EFC Annual General Assembly (AGA).
The three main session areas are: Solidarity, with a special focus on youth unemployment, acceptance of diversity beyond differences, and opposing xenophobia and hate speech; Transitional justice, reconciliation and conflict resolution; Civil society, good governance and the role of foundations in debating the future of Europe
In addition to these main fields, session proposals are also invited for themes relating to professional foundation work, ethics, investments, information, development, etc.
16-17 May 2014, London, UK
Living it Festival
On the 16th and 17th of May UnLtd will be taking over Google Campus in London and throwing the biggest youth social enterprise festival of 2014. The event aims to bring together and showcase knowledge, support and expertise from partners and Award Winners, in addition to celebrating, promoting and showcasing the work of young social entrepreneurs. The Living It Festival is the culmination of ’Living It’, a four-month campaign led by UnLtd to celebrate, showcase and promote young social entrepreneurs. The campaign consists of five national events at Google Campus in London, regional events, and the new ‘Lived It Awards’ – all culminating in the two-day festival on the 16th and 17th May.
19 May 2014, London, UK
Unlocking social finance
The social enterprise sector is buzzing with new financial terms: 'social investment', 'social impact bonds' and 'investment readiness'. But what do these terms actually mean, and how can social enterprises and not-for-profits access these new forms of income? This one day workshop at the School for Social Entrepreneurs London will answer these questions, and many more. Participants will hear from a panel of speakers from different areas of social investment and case studies from both investors and investees will shine a spotlight on specific types of social investment, allowing attendees to make informed decisions about how to finance their organisation.
19-20 May 2014, Brussels, Belgium
European Commission high-level conference on social policy innovation
The European Commission is organizing a high-level conference on social policy innovation in Brussels on 19-20 May 2014. The conference will focus on the role of social policy innovation and social investment in implementing structural reforms at country level and delivering on the Europe 2020 objectives.
The conference will report on the experiences of the recent past and examine more in depth how EU countries will be best supported for social policy innovation and social policy experimentation through the new Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).
The event will also analyze how EU countries are starting to put in practice the priority given to social policy innovation in the new programming period of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, in particular the European Social Fund.
20 May 2014, Brussels, Belgium
Awards Ceremony of the 2nd European Social Innovation Competition
The Awards Ceremony of the 2nd European Social Innovation Competition will take place at Arsenal, a former military headquarters turned into a conference facility. The Ceremony will mark the culmination of the Competition. From the 1,254 entries received to tackle the Job Challenge, the European Commission will award the 3 best ideas with a prize of €30,000 each. Last year prizes were awarded by President Barroso. The event will provide a unique occasion to meet all 30 "semi-finalists" of the Competition, to learn about their ideas and to advise on the problems they face. The Ceremony will conclude 2 days dedicated to social innovation in Brussels. On 19 May and 20 May (morning) the Commission is organising a Social Policy Innovation Conference to present the new Employment and Social Innovation programme and to explore ways to translate social innovation into systemic change. This is the spirit of the Declaration on social entrepreneurship adopted this year in Strasbourg and this was the goal of Diogo Vasconcelos, to whom this Competition pays tribute.
To read more: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/policy/social-innovation/competition/events_en.htm
21 May 2014, Paris, France
IMPACT² Conference
On 21 May 2014, Paris will become the World Capital of Social Entrepreneurship for the third edition of IMPACT². Hosted by Le Comptoir de l'Innovation, IMPACT² is a series of events to promote social entrepreneurship and impact investing in France and around the world, especially to an audience of non-specialists. IMPACT² brings together business leaders, financial institutions, policy makers and success stories of social entrepreneurship in emblematic places. This third edition will be held at Paris City Hall. The event will convene global decision-makers and entrepreneurs to inspire one another, share experiences and engage wholeheartedly in social entrepreneurship.
