How can innovation foster greater inclusion in the Kongsvinger region? That was the central question at a recent webinar organised by the Norwegian project group of ESIRA as part of a regional dissemination workshop. The online morning meeting was attended by 28 persons and featured three short lectures, including a presentation of concrete practical ideas aimed at making Kongsvinger more inclusive, especially for people with reduced functional ability.

Kongsvinger faces common regional pressures — ageing population, skills gaps and a share of people outside the labour force. The ESIRA approach seeks to mobilise local creativity and partnerships to create inclusive solutions: accessible recreation, work-oriented pilots and social enterprise models that prioritise social goals alongside economic viability.

Introduction about ESIRA

The webinar opened with ESIRA’s Norwegian project leader Aleksander Bern outlining ESIRA’s goals and the project’s focus on social innovation and inclusion in the Kongsvinger area. Bern described the local multi-actor platform (MAP) to design pilot projects, support social enterprises and create new opportunities for residents with reduced functional ability. He emphasised the pilots developed by the MAP-group may also serve as pathways to work and learning.

Berns presentation described two pilots: a gaming arena as a physical meeting place focusing on inclusion and a project to make a popular outdoor bathing area universally accessible with ramps, better paths and information resources. ESIRA and partners are seeking funding and local venues; volunteers, organisations and businesses are invited to take part in workshops and pilot activities. A third and fourth pilot are currently being developed. 

What social innovation really means

Next, Trude Hella Eide from the Centre for Public Sector Innovation (KOI) gave a presentation explaining what social innovation really means: new ideas implemented to meet social needs, strengthen local capacity and produce measurable improvements. Eide stressed co-creation — involving users, relatives and professionals throughout discovery, design, testing and refinement — and practical methods such as design thinking and iterative prototyping.

The final talk came from Lars Gillund of Klosser Innovation, who focused on making innovation happen in Kongsvinger. He framed innovation as often incremental and locally rooted: many small, tested improvements create lasting change when combined with networks, skills and patient development. Gillund described efforts to link education, employers and industry through practice placements, local partnerships and pilot testing — all aimed at boosting employment and counteracting demographic and competence challenges in the region.  

Concluded: inclusive innovation is possible when local actors collaborate, test ideas in small steps and keep users at the centre! Interested residents and organisations are encouraged to contact ESIRA to join upcoming workshops and pilots.