Social Innovation Hub

The Evangelische Heimstiftung (EHS) emphasizes that technical progress should serve people and has formulated ten ethical principles for digitalization. Their digital strategy, symbolized by ALADIEN, aims to ease everyday life through various technical aids. ALADIEN has been in use since 2017 in EHS’ WohnenPLUS residences and assisted living, supporting everyday companions in outpatient residential communities with daily care. Sensors in living spaces enhance resident safety and comfort by detecting dangers and emergencies. The QuartrBack project focuses on improving the quality of life, social participation, autonomy, and self-determination for individuals with cognitive limitations or dementia through technology. It includes a helper network app that initiates an “intelligent emergency chain” involving relatives, volunteers, and professionals. EHS has also developed a digital education process using a peer-to-peer concept for older adults in senior-specific living arrangements and institutionalized care. The “Institute for Care and Aging” (IPA) supports EHS’s innovation by focusing on research related to nursing practice. EHS involves nursing staff, residents, and external partners to drive new developments and promote scientific exchange through lectures, publications, and networking nationwide.

The activities of the We.Ca.Re Cantiere Regionale Project, strategy co-financed with the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund aimed to stimulate innovation and collaboration between services, administrations and citizens in construction of increasingly effective mutual support networks. The project involves students from the lower secondary schools of Torre Pellice (IC Gianni Rodari), Perosa Argentina (IC Gouthier) and Pinerolo (Serena area – IC Silvio Pellico), who created videos to talk to their peers about conflicts that they have to deal with on a daily basis, giving constructive advice. Young learners were empowered to take responsibility for their own content creation. Following this, a YouTube channel was created – We.ca.re. WeRicogniamoCi – which brought together the videos, making them accessible not only to male and female students but to anyone who wants to delve deeper into the work carried out during the We.Ca.Re project throughout the region.

Living Room offers help, support and activities for young people who came to the country as minors, without parents, so that they are not left alone. Suojattomat is a project that works with people who have sought but been denied asylum in Finland. we offer them community activities and community support instead of inaction.

The Work Skills Project ran from November 2020 until December 2022 under the European Social Fund (ESF).) The project responds to the challenges faced by young people at risk of social exclusion in the Rovaniemi region. It promoted the employment of young people, especially men, who are not in education, training or employment. There are more unemployed men aged under 30 than women in Rovaniemi and the project provided companies with coaching and increase skills to improve their capacity to support sustainable employment among young people.

Superhands Germany: It is estimated that around 480,000 children and young people in Germany look after relatives in need of care. So almost half a million – that’s one or two per school class. That’s why the Superhands platform exists. To talk, to ask questions, to get information. For many children and young people with care responsibilities – also known as “Young Carers”.

Dementia-friendly Communities in Czech Republic, ran from September 2021 until December 2022 under Erasmus+ KA1 as a short-term project for mobility of learners and staff in vocational training and education Dementia-friendly communities is a concept primarily focused on dignity and respect for a person with dementia. The project rasied awareness and understanding of dementia and its symptoms and advocates that dementia isn’t the end of life, but rather a new chapter. “Dementia-friendly communities in Czech Republic” was partnered by Slezska Diakonie, (CZ) and Diaconia Valdese and Rifugio Re Carlo Alberto (IT)

The “Resilyou” app for strengthening the psychological resilience of users through regular use, was financed by the St. Gallen Church, among others. An app for personal development and inner strength, scientifically based and suitable for everyday use with its low-threshold and holistic training. Using daily rituals, users should consciously focus on positive experiences, be they small successes in everyday professional life or beautiful encounters in private life. A positive attitude is important in order to stay mentally healthy even in times of crisis. Because friendly relationships are a central pillar for mental health, it is recommended to train in teams of two. According to a statement from the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of St. Gallen, the app was made possible by three-year start-up funding from the cantonal church. Since the beginning of 2023, “Resilyou” has been available for download in the Apple and Google stores.

Caritas Austria uses social innovation to combat loneliness. Many people in Austria suffer from a lack of social contacts and are severely affected by loneliness. Plaudernetz is the telephone number against loneliness, where people from all over Austria can be easily connected to one another. You can chat every day between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on 05 1776 100. Everything is completely anonymous and confidential. In moments of loneliness, the chat network is a quick help. Thanks to our volunteer chat partners, more than 34,000 conversations have been held since it began in April 2020. Their chat network is a quick help in moments of loneliness: dial 05 1776 100 and be connected to other people. It is also possible to register as a chat partner and support the network, technology and volunteers financially at

Diakonie Düsseldorf’s Office for Social Innovation focuses on promoting new approaches to social work and the organization’s operations. Collaborating with social enterprises, start-ups, and incubators, they seek digital products and services that enhance their ability to effectively meet future needs with an aim to use digital tools to complement and enrich personal attention, not replace it. One notable innovation is the GISA app, designed to provide easy access to information and events for families in the Flingern district shop, the Ernst-Lange-Haus in Hassels-Nord, and refugees using Diakonie Düsseldorf’s advisory services. The app aids users with filling out applications, addressing landlord issues, and navigating their new environment. It also facilitates connections through parent-child groups for mothers with and without a migrant background. Available for free, the app offers updates on new services and events and allows direct, secure communication with staff via messenger, including voice and image messages.

In collaboration with eight other partners, Our Austrian member Diakonie Austria pioneered the implementation of a project called ‘Energy With Spirit-a solidarity energy community in the Evangelical-Diaconal area in Austria. This is within the framework of the “Lighthouses for Resilient Cities 2040” funding program as part of the Smart Cities Initiative of the Climate and Energy Fund. The Energy with Spirit project addressed the challenges of the energy crisis by actively engaging vulnerable populations in the energy transition. The project raised awareness about energy efficiency and sustainability among participants, promoting long-term behavioural changes towards energy consumption. By creating a solidarity energy community, the project also improved the socailisation and confidence of the involved population.