The Social Enterprise Open Camp is a training and networking opportunity dedicated to social entrepreneurship and impact investing.
Speakers and social entrepreneurship experts from around the world will lead four days of residential training. An experience made unique by testimonies from social entrepreneurs, as well as reflections and stimuli from mentors, academics, investors and key players in the industry and finance that will enable participants to implement skills, activate alliances and broaden their scope in a melting pot of knowledge and experience.
Plenary sessions, keynote speeches, debates, roundtables, and networking moments will alternate with workshops within which social enterprises/cooperatives will be proposed to take on the role of case studies/learning platforms for participants who, guided by two workshop leaders, will be able to discuss and reflect on the central issues essential for the establishment and development of impact enterprises.
For the 2025 edition, the focus of the training program, summarized in TOGETHERNESS – Cultivating Systemic Change, is aimed at exploring business models that go beyond linear approaches and suggest solutions capable of redefining equilibria, dynamics, and partnerships to address the complexity and interconnectedness of today’s challenges.
The challenge is to rethink processes, products, and positioning through a systemic lens, with the goal of addressing the root causes rather than the symptoms. This requires a shift in models, mindsets, and power dynamics. It calls for active collaboration between individuals and organizations, the adoption of a systemic investing approach, and a deep exploration of how social innovation can drive lasting change. At the heart of this transformation is the recognition of the powerful, catalytic role played by culture, creativity, youth leadership, community development, and the enhancement of local territories.
Up to a total of 125 scholarships to attend the SEOC 2025 TOGETHERNESS - Cultivating Systemic Change, the immersive training initiative dedicated to the world of social entrepreneurship, unique in Italy.
You are the right candidate and can get one of the scholarships made available if you belong to one of the following categories:
- international cooperation operator*
- entrepreneur, cooperator and social innovator*
- operator in the world of associationism*
- under 35 from the provinces of Verona, Vicenza, Belluno, Ancona and Mantova**
- recent graduate or undergraduate interested in approaching social economy and impact investing***
- young women entrepreneurs under 40 operating in the Appennino area, with a focus on enhancing inner areas****
*Scholarships offered by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, and Fondazione Cariplo as part of the Innovazione per lo Sviluppo NEXT initiative and Fondazione CRC
**Scholarships offered by Fondazione Cariverona
***Scholarships offered by Fondazione Pietro Pittini
****Scholarships offered by Fondazione Edoardo Garrone
NB a maximum of two operators will be selected for the same organization.
- Application from May 14, 2025 at 12.00 p.m. to July 2, 2025 at 11.59 p.m.
- Selection of the scholarship winners and notification: by July 11, 2025 by individual e-mail to each recipient.
- Finalization of registration: those selected will receive a code to complete their registration and participation in the Social Enterprise Open Camp 2025.
- The winners should finalize their participation no later than July 16, 2025 by filling out the form on the website www.socialopencamp.org (in order to complete the process, follow the instructions on the site, pay a donation of € 50 to support the organizers of the initiative and send a copy of the bank transfer and your personal data to the e-mail address [email protected]).
To take part in the challenge and be selected you must:
- apply to the call for applications accessing: https://seoc2025challenge.apply-idea360.com/en
- submit your CV
- In the case of NGO operators, social enterprises/cooperatives, associations or start-ups, attach a presentation of your organization (optional).
Attach at the candidate’s choice one of three contributions:
- an essay (max. 2000 characters including spaces)
- a short video (max. 5 minutes)
- a presentation (max. 10 slides)
in which you report personal reflections, ideas, proposals, and strategies inspired by business models and initiatives capable of operating with a systemic mindset, moving beyond linear approaches to address the complexity of today’s challenges.
It is important that contributions is not 'generic'. Submissions should include best practices, share professional experiences, and offer thoughtful insights, concrete examples, and recommendations on key themes related to System Change.
To support its development, here are a few prompts and guiding questions:
- Reflecting on your own organization or project, can you identify a moment when a small, internally-driven change had ripple effects beyond your immediate context? What enabled that catalytic effect?
- Considering the transformative potential of culture, creativity and community and territorial development, can you share examples or proposals that adopt systemic approaches to address complex challenges?
- Can you identify any organizations that have effectively embraced systemic investing channeling financial resources toward structural solutions by reimagining processes, products, or strategic positioning?
- How can the involvement and leadership of younger generations serve as catalysts for systemic change? Share your thoughts, experiences, or examples that illustrate their potential impact.
- What strategies can encourage meaningful collaboration among individuals, organizations, and diverse stakeholders to adopt systemic approaches capable of addressing the complexity and interconnection of today’s major challenges, while responding to the root causes and real needs of communities?
The challenge will be open from May 14, 2025, at 12.00 p.m. to July 2, 2025, at 11.59 p.m.
The materials submitted by applicants will be evaluated by Fondazione Opes-Lcef who, in its sole discretion, will select:
up to 125 SEOC 2025 challenge scholars.
In the event that not all scholarships are awarded or new partners make new scholarships available, the organizers reserve the right to open a second phase of the challenge.
- Registration fee and participation in all activities of Social Enterprise Open Camp TOGETHERNESS - Cultivating Systemic Change
- Board and room at affiliated facilities with accommodation in a double or triple room (with the possibility of choosing your own roommate)
- On-site transportation: hotel/SEOC shuttle
- Check-in on the evening of November 28, 2025, and check-out on the morning of December 1, 2025
- Outward journey from your residence to Torino
- Return trip from Torino to your residence
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the paragraph “the scholarship includes”
By applying for the SEOC Challenge and getting a scholarship, the participant commits to take part in all scheduled plenary sessions and workshops.
The scholarships are offered by