Social Innovation Hub

Our Finnish member, Deaconess Foundation, in collaboration with Diak University got the shared first prize on the European Social Innovation Competition alongside projects from The Netherlands and Austria.The “Skills for Tomorrow – Shaping a green and digital future” Challenge Prize was awarded to the Finnish consortium for their collaborative project “Zekki – What’s up?”. The initiative consists of a digital service in Finland that matches young people with various support services on an online wellbeing self-assessment quiz.

The Danube Region is facing critical challenges in home care due to its aging population. The demand for affordable and high-quality long-term care services, including home care and community-based support, is urgent. To address these needs, the EU-funded D-Care Labs project aims to revolutionize the home care landscape and enhance the European Care Strategy. The D-Care Labs project offers promising opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. By empowering social professions, fostering social investment ecosystems, and adopting the successful D-Care Lab model, the region is embarking on a new path for home care. Through innovation, collaboration, and a dedication to dignified care, the Danube Region is reimagining the future of home care, bringing positive change to care-dependent individuals.

At the Deacon Foundation’s Hospice, a pioneering research project is exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) glasses as a supplement to alleviate pain and anxiety in palliative care patients. Led by Professor Hanne Konradsen, the project aims to uncover the profound effects of VR in mitigating suffering. With a significant percentage of patients experiencing pain, alternative methods like VR offer promising relief without unwanted side effects.The Deacon Foundation’s Hospice leads this exploration, pushing the boundaries of compassion and innovation in palliative care.

Since spring 2022, the first community nurses of the Diakoniewerk have been in use. The main idea is that community nurses can develop their future tools and measures (also) themselves. Under the motto “Grow old as I want”, Community Nursing is there for seniors and relatives and accompanies a self-determined life in old age. Preventive and individual solutions are created that are right for the patient. The Community Nurse is active as a contact person at community level for all questions relating to health, everyday life, care and nursing. Networked within the community, with social service providers, doctors and associations, rhe qualified nurese coordinates the care solution that is tailored to your individual life situation.