SIMPLE (Social Innovation Models to Promote Learning and Employability) focuses on mapping existing social innovation practices and needs for more effective integration of refugees from Ukraine in EU countries, with a particular focus on employability and education.
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On 9 December 2025, IDP European Consultants organised a stakeholder engagement event in Montesilvano (Abruzzo region, Italy) as part of the SIMPLE project (Social Innovation Models for the Promotion of Inclusion and Employment), co-funded by the European Union under the ESF+ programme. The event was held in the framework of Work Package 3 (WP3), which focuses on identifying and engaging key stakeholders to support the co-development, dissemination, and future sustainability of the project’s model.
The event brought together 13 participants, including representatives of local public authorities and third-sector organisations, two key dimensions of the quadruple helix model, which underpins the SIMPLE project’s stakeholder engagement strategy. Among the public-sector stakeholders were representatives from “Agenzia Speciale per I Servizi Sociali” providing social services for the Municipality of Montesilvano, actively working in the fields of social inclusion, community development, and migrant support. The third-sector was represented by Formula APS, which manages Spazio Mincio, a youth hub promoting professional development and social empowerment for people under 35, including those with a migrant background.
During the session, IDP presented the SIMPLE project’s mission, structure, and the outcomes of Work Package 2 (WP2) - including the mapping of over 80 European social innovation initiatives and the development of the project’s Theory of Change. This framework provides a roadmap for how SIMPLE aims to foster the integration and employability of refugees and vulnerable migrants, particularly those displaced by the war in Ukraine.
The stakeholders expressed great interest in the concept of social innovation, particularly in how it can be applied and adapted to diverse target groups and operational contexts. Although many participants primarily work with different migrant populations or with youth in general, they highlighted the potential transferability of SIMPLE’s results to other segments.
Some participants from the third sector welcomed the SIMPLE model’s emphasis on tailored mentoring, empowerment activities, and modular employability pathways. They noted that many of their beneficiaries would benefit from similar tools, especially those aimed at fostering soft skills, job-readiness, and peer support mechanisms - all of which are components of SIMPLE’s piloting strategy. Representatives of public institutions showed a particular interest in the project’s goal to build local ecosystems of support that bring together service providers, training organisations, and employers. They highlighted the need for stronger coordination between institutional and community actors and recognised SIMPLE as a valuable initiative to bridge that gap with structured, evidence-based methodologies.
The event also provided space for open dialogue and feedback, laying the groundwork for future cooperation and potential replication of SIMPLE activities at the local level.
For more information, visit the SIMPLE project website: https://simpleinnovation.eu
Contact: simple.euproject@gmail.com
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Collaboration is at the heart of the SIMPLE project. We work with a diverse range of stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society to achieve our goals. Our partnerships are crucial for establishing strong networks, sharing resources, and maximizing the impact of our initiatives for Ukrainian refugees.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.
Legal description – Creative Commons licensing: The materials published on the SIMPLE project website are classified as Open Educational Resources' (OER) and can be freely (without permission of their creators): downloaded, used, reused, copied, adapted, and shared by users, with information about the source of their origin.