Social innovation for productive employment and decent work
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Online
Social innovation for productive employment and decent work
1–19 Diciembre 2025
El curso está disponible en English
Presentación del curso
Achieving productive employment and decent work is a growing challenge. Technological advancements, economic shifts, and social inequalities are reshaping the labour market. As a result, innovative approaches are needed to create jobs that not only meet productivity goals but also ensure fairness, equity, and sustainability. This course on Social innovation for productive employment and decent work addresses the urgent need to explore social innovation and how it can contribute to address employment challenges and foster the creation of meaningful and sustainable work. In particular, it explores the intersection between social innovation and the creation of decent jobs, focusing on how social innovators significantly fosters new competencies, opens up new markets, and ultimately leads to the emergence of new job opportunities. Through this lens, participants will be able to understand the role of social innovation in building resilient, inclusive employment systems that promote decent work for all.
¿Quiénes participan en este curso?
Professionals keen on developing innovative solutions to address eco-social challenges Officials and/or professionals working in the public and private sectors, UN Agencies, foundations, cooperatives and NGOs, and international cooperation sector aiming to contribute to positive environmental and societal impact Social innovators, entrepreneurs and third-sector innovators seeking to embed sustainability in their initiatives People working or interested in social innovation and related research Policy-makers, planners, technical officials of relevant ministries, and other technical experts from relevant institutions Policy advisors and practitioners from ministries of labour and employment, finance, economy and planning, sectoral ministries, researchers and policy analysts from international, regional and national organisations, and academia
Contents
WHAT TOPICS DOES THIS COURSE COVER?
Productive Employment and Future Challenges
The course begins by examining the concept of productive employment, exploring its meaning in today's context, and identifying the challenges that lie ahead. This session provides a foundation for understanding the broader economic trends impacting labour markets and the future of work.
Social Innovation and the Social and Solidarity Economy
A deep dive into how social innovation and the principles of the social and solidarity economy can create pathways toward decent work. This section focuses on alternative economic models and innovative practices that prioritize social well-being and labour rights.
Mutualism and Cooperatives as Tools for Social Innovation
The course explores mutualism and cooperatives as powerful examples of social innovation that can foster decent work. These models promote collective ownership and democratic decision-making, providing a blueprint for creating fair and sustainable working conditions.
Worker-led Enterprises and Recovered Businesses
A special focus on worker-led enterprises and recovered businesses, with practical case studies such as the GKN example. These cases highlight how communities and workers themselves can take control of production, ensuring job retention and promoting socially responsible business models.
Reorganizing Employment and Building Sustainable Workplaces
The final section tackles the challenges of employment reorganization in today’s economy and the emerging opportunities for creating sustainable workplaces. It explores innovative strategies for managing work environments that align with both social impact goals and employee well-being, driven by intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the evolving concept of productive employment and its relevance in today’s economy.
- Explore the role of social innovation and solidarity economy practices in promoting decent work.
- Analyse the potential of mutualism and cooperatives as models for fair and inclusive employment.
- Learn from real-world examples of worker-led enterprises and understand their contribution to labour rights and job retention.
- Identify strategies for fostering sustainable and socially impactful workplaces in a rapidly changing labour market.
Certification
At the end of the course, an assessment of knowledge and competencies acquired will be undertaken. The successful completion of this assignment will result in an ITCILO Certificate of Achievement.
Information
International Training Centre of the ILO - Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10 - 10127 Turin - Italy
phone: +39 011 693 6888 / +390116936549 - e-mail: socialinnovation@itcilo.org
