Hybrid Value Chain enhancement in Europe through Citizen Science

The project sought to validate a scalable model that integrates Higher Education Institutions and Social Innovation Actors to strengthen social innovation capacity across the EU. Objectives includ...

The project sought to validate a scalable model that integrates Higher Education Institutions and Social Innovation Actors to strengthen social innovation capacity across the EU. Objectives included piloting Hybrid Value Chain methodology combined with Action Design Research to co‑produce user‑driven solutions, and delivering five case studies that demonstrate replicable workflows and measurable social impact. Further aims were to increase transnational access for local social innovators, foster non‑formal civic engagement for adult learners and students, and bridge academic and social value systems to enable sustained HEI–SIA collaboration. Outcomes were designed to be transferable across European University alliances and social innovation networks.

The project implementation focused on two core activities: a series of participatory workshops and a final symposium. Five virtual workshops were organised by SEAL to test the Action Design Research (ADR) methodology within the framework of Citizen Science, targeting adult education and social entrepreneurship. Each workshop was preceded by a scientifically prepared five-page brief to guide discussions on themes such as digital fairness, mental health, geopolitical safety, social economics, and sustainability. Around 50 people actively engaged in activities of workshops. These sessions fostered user-driven innovation and formalized learning outcomes, published in learning report. The second major activity was the HVC symposium, a hybrid event gathering around 60 participants (in person and online in total), including Latvian Ministry of Welfare representatives, academics, social entrepreneurs, and active citizens. The symposium served to present project outcomes, validate the ADR and Hybrid Value Chain methodologies, and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders. Both activities contributed to bridging societal and academic actors, enhancing the innovation ecosystem, and laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

The project delivered several concrete outputs that validated its approach and enhanced its overall impact. Five scientifically grounded and socially relevant problem briefs were developed to frame each participatory workshop, enabling focused and informed discussions. These workshops (five in total) were successfully moderated, fostering collaborative exploration and co-creation among diverse stakeholders. Insights and outcomes from all activities were synthesised into a comprehensive learning report, documenting the process, findings, and potential solutions generated through the Action Design Research methodology. This report serves as a key reference for future replication and scaling of the Citizen Lab model. The project concluded with a symposium that showcased the methodology, results, and learnings, while also facilitating broader stakeholder engagement and validation. Together, these outputs demonstrate the project’s success in bridging academic, social, and entrepreneurial communities and in laying the foundation for sustainable innovation practices.