EVENT DETAILS
Program
4-days long development program during which you will improve skills in using Design Thinking methods for creating and developing Social Innovations. The program takes place in Kraków/Poland 7th-10th October 2020.
People
You will be one of 20 international participants who are interested in what how Design Thinking can inspire innovations that can improve the Quality of Life and who are interested in Central and Eastern Europe as a region. As a group you will be led through intensive program by 7 conveners and trainers with extensive experience in linking innovation with public good.
Skills
You will learn how to use Design Thinking methodology in developing innovation, you will learn about cultural aspects of promoting innovativeness and also about ways to assess impact of a given innovation.
Methods
Most of the program will be run using active methods of learning – workshops and case studies. You will learn theory but you will be immediately asked to use it in simulation exercises. We will put a lot of effort into the interactivity of the whole experience – so you don’t get bored, get challenged and develop skills you can actually use in the future.
Conditions
We provide accommodation, food, venues, conveners and trainers. All you need to do is to come to Kraków and focus on developing your skills and having fun with other participants. Yes – fun is an important aspect of effective education.
Fun
Did we say fun? We put much importance into creating good atmosphere, fun and enjoyment – we find these, to be crucial elements of effective educational experiences.
#design thinking #social innovation #public_good #leadership #teamwork #workshops
PROGRAM
DAY 1
Wednesday, 7th October 2020
Integration, Introduction and Cultural Aspects of Innovation
We will meet in the morning in the Cracow’s Creative District – called Zabłocie. We will have some coffee and snacks, get to know each other, the Program’s details, and will kick-off.
Also, this day you will have an opportunity to participate in the workshop devoted to the cultural aspects of innovation led by Dr Seweryn Rudnicki. What are best characteristics of a culture that inspires creativity and innovativeness? How to create organizational culture in which people are awarded for taking risks and learning from failures? These questions will be addressed in a practical manner during this workshop.
In the evening we will organize an event during which participants will have an opportunity for socializing and getting to know each other further with accompaniment of good food and drinks.
DAY 2 & 3
Thursday and Friday, 8th-9th October 2020
Design Thinking Workshop
Second and third day will be completely devoted to the Design Thinking Workshop. Design Thinking is a world-wide recognized methodology used for innovation creation and development. One of its main features is that it puts stress on acquiring empathy with innovation’s end users. Thus, the participants will work with the conveners to get through all 5 stages of innovation creation – empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping and testing. Participants will work in smaller teams in a simulation-like scenario which will allow them to test any tools foreseen by the Design Thinking Methodology. Participants will also get familiar with main mindsets of Design Thinking: Learn From Failure, Make It, Creative Confidence, Empathy, Embrace Ambiguity, Optimism and Iterate!
DAY 4
Saturday, 10th October 2020
Case Studies and Impact Assessment
The last day of the program will be devoted to the theme of assessing the impact of any given innovation. This day we will work closely with a particular case of a social innovation called Conflict Kitchen – their mission is to work with migrants and local populations in order to overcome any hostility between them. Again – this real life scenario will be used both for inspiration as well as a tool for learing about impact assessment. Participants will learn the theory and methods for innovation evaluation to keep check is its social mission is being fulfilled and gather insights for possible pivots and future development.
CONVENERS

Jan Strycharz
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Dawid Sobolak
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Łukasz Maźnica
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Seweryn Rudnicki
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Katarzyna Lisek
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Jarmiła Rybicka
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VENUE
We select spaces that boost the whole learning experience! During the program you will stay at Lwowska 1 Apart Hotel where we will also use their conference room for our workshop sessions. The hotel is situated in the fashionable and lively district of Podgórze. And this means: great communication, a fifteen-minute walk in a straight line to the Main Square, a five-minute walk to the Vistula Boulevards and the Schindler’s Factory, while the Ghetto Heroes Square can be seen from the windows.
ORGANISERS
The program is being developed in close collaboration between different social and public life actors. Konrad Adenauer Foundation which is well known for its role in promoting democracy and dialogue provides its experience and knowledge in building long-lasting partnerships on the international level, Workshop for Social Innovations provides expertise in supporting social innovators with knowledge and mentorship, while AGH (one of the best Polish universities) makes sure the content we deliver is sound and up-to-date. Furthermore – the city of Kraków gives us warm welcome and support to use this great geographical location as our “playground”. We believe, this four-tier partnership guarantees the quality of the Shapers of the Future Program.