Students compete in social innovation
In March, the voluntary student-run organization FOSIA (Forum for Social Innovation Aarhus) will hold it’s annual case competition for the third year in a row. One hundred students from higher education institutions from around Denmark will take part. They will focus on building bridges between theoretical knowledge and using that knowledge on real-life cases.
Even though the organisation is relatively new, it has already become a popular initiative that attracts cases from organisations such as Arla (large Danish diary cooperative, ed.) and the Municipality of Lemvig.
Solving social challenges
"There are many social and environmental challenges facing us around the world. To solve them what we need is innovation. We would like to help our fellow students realise that their theoretical knowledge can help to solve these challenges," says board member Jonas Kjærgaard Thodsen, a political science student.
"And in addition, collaboration generates value. It’s exciting to see that it not only generates value for the participants, but also socially and financially," adds digital design student Louise Balslev. She is a volunteer working for FOSIA.
Competition for the good idea
Member of the board Eva Larsen, who is studying political science, explains what will happen on the day where it all begins.
"We will start the day with a presentation of three different cases and then the students will choose which one they want to work on. After a day of working with idea development they have to present their solution to the problem. Our judges and the organisations that presented the case choose a winner for each case."
Can be used in the real world
"The organisations behind the cases take the good ideas on board and make use of them. The winners from 2013 have completed a project with 30 volunteers based on their good idea for social health. The group won the competition to help socially disadvantaged people understand the healthcare system," adds Jonas Kjærgaard Thodsen.
If you are interested in getting to know FOSIA better, you can find them on Facebook or at www.fosia.dk (in Danish).
Translated by Peter Lambourne.