Strategy Lab on Social Innovation Explores Policy Integration during Hamburg Sustainability Week

18 June 2025

On 4 June, a diverse group of stakeholders came together at the co-working space “betahaus” in Hamburg to address a central question: What exactly are social innovations—and how can they be strategically embedded into policy frameworks? The event, titled Strategy Lab: Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship, took place as part of the Hamburg Sustainability Week and provided a platform for in-depth discussion and collaboration.

Participants from civil society, academia, public administration, and social enterprises examined the definition of social innovation within specific thematic areas such as mobility, education, democratic engagement, and health. The lab offered space to identify barriers, share practical experiences, and explore opportunities for strengthening the role of social innovation in political and strategic processes.

Inspiring speakers provided insights into social innovation from various perspectives and into the SI/SE ecosystem in Hamburg.

A key insight of the day:
Mission-oriented approaches are essential to shaping innovation policy—and this is where MOIP plays a pivotal role.

MOIP, short for Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy, is a framework that places major societal challenges at the centre of both policy design and innovation strategies.

The event marked the midpoint of the Strategy Lab process within the RESIST – Interreg BSR Project. Based on the discussions and input gathered, a Strategy Guide is currently in development. It will offer concrete approaches for the strategic anchoring of social innovation. Further Strategy Labs are planned as part of the ongoing process.