Format: Innovation Lab

SUMMARY

How can we improve innovation processes? And how can we develop new ideas to solve the problems of a complex society? To answer these questions, Ca’ Foscari University Venice decided to start with its own staff and researchers, putting them in touch with external partners who are tackling new challenges and problems. This gave rise to the idea of CLabs – Ca’ Foscari Laboratories for Active Learning, an initiative launched in 2018 that continues to run successfully today. The CLabs take place at both the university’s Venice and Treviso campuses. The CLab is structured as 6–8-week workshops aimed at supporting undergraduates and PhD students from diverse academic backgrounds in developing original projects addressing real-world challenges and problems, by harnessing their creativity and using methodologies such as Design Thinking and the Business Model Canvas.

Among these, the Venice Youth ACTION project has generated great interest; it was conceived and promoted by the Fondazione di Venezia, in collaboration with Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and the Fondazione Università Ca’ Foscari and Youth Bank International. The aim is to generate value within the Metropolitan City of Venice by engaging the younger population through a training program that empowers them to participate actively in all decision-making and governance processes. The main objective of the Laboratory is to accelerate the projects selected through a “Call for Ideas” aimed at groups of students who, in collaboration with local non-profit organizations, submit a project and/or initiative with a social impact that aligns with one of the key themes considered fundamental for strengthening local communities and envisioning sustainable and inclusive development.

HOW DOES THE FORMAT WORK?

Before the event

Two central university bodies (one for Venice, one for Treviso) coordinate the initiative. CLab Ca’ Foscari Venice (led by Prof. Sara Bonesso), together with its institutional partner, discusses with external partners (public authorities, local businesses and NGOs) a challenge on which to engage the students. The discussion takes the form of co-design process. The proposal of a topic is open to any university lecturer or external partner. Ideas may have their own budget (for example, established in collaboration with an external partner) or may require funding from the University. A Technical and Scientific Committee evaluates and selects all the proposals.

CLab therefore publishes a call for applications on the University’s website, aimed at the student community, and collects expressions of interest from those wishing to take part. The call is also publicized across the University’s three campuses.

Proposals are generally submitted by 15 October each year, and the workshops take place the following spring.

During the laboratory

The workshop lasts between 6 and 8 weeks (though they may be shorter), requiring a commitment of two or three days a week.

A typical 6-week workshop can be divided into 6 phases: launch, research, definition, ideation, validation, and finalisation (final presentation).

Each workshop involves the presence of tutors/facilitators who support and guide participants through the training programme, stimulating their interest and motivation.

The coordinating lecturer has scientific and educational responsibility for the CLab entrusted to them and actively collaborates with the team of experts.

After the laboratory

At the end of the workshop, the results are presented publicly by the students themselves, together with the project partners.

The findings are disseminated both through in-person public events and via social media, specifically Instagram and Facebook, in collaboration with the university’s communications Department.

At the end of the course, participating students are awarded open badges (certificates attesting to the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired).

The CLAB management team conducts an evaluation during the summer and then begins gathering new ideas and proposals for the next cycle, which starts in the autumn.

PARTICIPANTS

Over the years, the Venetian CLab has seen the participation of 1,378 people, developed 203 projects, involved 171 partners from outside the university, and awarded students 946 open badges.

CHALLENGES (AND WAY TO ADDRESS THEM)

• It is possible that the call is not widely known and that, as a result, few ideas are submitted. For this reason, the call is publicized not only on the University website but also by the Departments and various interested lecturers. The external partners are also involved in publicizing the call.
• The workshop lasts approximately six weeks. It is not always possible for all students to attend, so it is important not only to encourage participants to attend regularly, but also to ensure that the working group can continue to operate under any circumstances. This is facilitated by a modular structure and the presence of tutor facilitators.

TASKS AND RESOURCES

Main organizer’s team

• Event content: coordinating the agenda, liaising with partners regarding the most suitable challenges, and finalising the line-up for each call.
• Organizational aspects: drafting the call for proposals; selecting proposals; disseminating information; and organising the logistics of the venues provided for the workshop and the final presentation.

Hosting institution

The hosting institution (CLab Ca’ Foscari, as the promoter) is involved in all preliminary phases, from the call for proposals to all logistics aspects in loco.

Researchers/mentors

Lecturers who put forward ideas are involved in the initial proposal stage and, if the idea is accepted, they lead the workshop themselves. The University recognies the lecturers’ involvement as teaching hours.

Students

Students are recruited through a call for applications and then work on devising and testing solutions to tackle the challenge set by the workshop.

Partners

Partners contribute by setting challenges for the students during the preliminary phase, sharing the workshop’s findings at the end, and disseminating the results through their own communication channels.

REQUIRED FUNDING FOR ACTIVITIES

Funds may be made available to the institutions promoting the challenge, including by the University itself.

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING

CLab Ca’ Foscari https://www.unive.it/pag/30571/

Call for ideas: https://forms.gle/quJR3viwoWrGp93c6

Call for Ideas Venice Youth ACTION https://www.unive.it/pag/44584/

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de