May 2026

Working Together for Systemic Change – Insights from Madrid

🇪🇺 Two inspiring days of exchange, new perspectives, and shared ideas: Our Managing Director, Norbert Kunz, and our colleague, Sven Zivanovic, took part in the Mutual Learning Event of the National Competence Centres (NCCs) in Madrid. Under the theme "Social Innovation Portfolios in Practice: Building Advocacy for Systemic Change," participants from across Europe explored how social innovation can create systemic impact and drive long-term societal change.

The event focused on mission-oriented portfolios, effective advocacy strategies, and ways to embed social innovation more firmly in public policy and administration.

One of the highlights was the Spanish perspective. Rosa Martínez Rodríguez presented the development of a social innovation-driven care system built around a community-based approach. Patricia Bezunartea Barrio, together with representatives from several ministries, demonstrated how cross-ministerial collaboration can help strengthen social innovation at a strategic level.

The European exchange also provided valuable insights. Participants from Ireland, Croatia, Austria, Estonia, and other countries discussed the role of the National Competence Centres in shaping societal transformation. A particular highlight was the contribution of our Managing Director, Norbert Kunz, who shared the experiences and lessons learned from the first 18 months of building Germany's National Competence Centre.

One message became clear: Europe needs long-term investment, continuous mutual learning, and strong networks for social innovation to become a lasting driver of systemic change.

At Social Impact, we are committed to strengthening social innovation ecosystems across Europe and working together with our European partners to further develop effective approaches for systemic change.