The 3rd National Social Innovation Ideas Competition by Skills Clubs Concluded Successfully!

The British Council's educational programme, implemented for the third year with the support of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, titled "Skills Clubs: 21st Century Youth Skills", concluded with the organization of the 3rd National Social Innovation Ideas Competition on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Book Tower of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).

The Programme's goal is to support students (aged 14-18) in developing skills and cultivating their perception of innovation and entrepreneurship, ultimately aiding their future integration into the job market and society. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Programme was implemented in 51 schools across more than 10 cities in Greece, reaching 3,175 students and 244 educators. This year, the Programme was also supported by Samsung Electronics Hellas, which offered supplementary design thinking workshops through the "Solve for Tomorrow" educational programme implemented by the British Council, as well as prizes for the Competition winners totaling €3.000 in equipment for their schools.

The school teams participating in the Programme's activities submitted their original ideas for social innovation actions concerning their school, community, and daily lives. Four student teams from Thessaloniki, three from Athens, two from Achaia, and one from Tinos met at the final event of the Competition, vying for distinction before a three-member judging panel that evaluated their proposals based on their unique social impact, sustainability, and the innovation of their plans.

After participating in an original "treasure hunt" of sustainable development goals—an educational activity that allowed them to tour the Stavros Niarchos Park at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center—the teams enthusiastically presented their proposals, conversed with the judging panel, and exchanged ideas and collaboration opportunities. In the end, the judging panel, consisting of Ms. Lefkothea Biniari, Head of Quality Assurance Authority in Primary and Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Ms. Eleni Svoronou, Head of Environmental Education at WWF Greece, and Mr. Dimitris Voulgaris, Project Manager of the NGO Mataroa and finalist in the Study UK Alumni Awards, completed the difficult task of announcing the results.

The grand prize for the most comprehensive idea was awarded to the Intercultural High School of Evosmos with the team "There's Room for Everyone," which aimed to solve the problem of illegal parking in spaces reserved for Persons with Disabilities. After their victory, the students of the team stated:

"Participating in the Competition was definitely an unforgettable experience. Not only did I develop new skills alongside those I already had, but I also met peers and learned about their ideas. Besides that, there was a light-hearted atmosphere, and the entire process was very enjoyable. During the Programme, I learned which skills I need to take on various job roles and how to develop them. We did some interactive activities that 'stuck' with me because they taught me things about myself and my abilities."

"It was a fantastic experience. Besides the games and new acquaintances, I learned through the presentations of other children about some of the problems they face and how they can be solved. This Program offered me knowledge and experiences. The encouragement from our teachers and the British Council trainer was particularly helpful, as was the presentation simulation we did for our classmates."

The other awards were shared by the 1st Junio High School of Toumba for the most sustainable idea concerning the creation of school bicycle parking spaces, the B' Arsakeio Junior High School for the most innovative idea, designing jewelry that functions as a panic button for women in danger, and the Junior High School of Rio for the idea with the greatest social impact, offering multiple support for students with learning difficulties.

The event was welcomed by Ms. Anastasia Andritsou, Director of the British Council, who stated:

"At the British Council, we believe that the development and enhancement of essential life skills such as collaboration, innovative thinking, and active citizenship are crucial in the fields of work and society and create a solid foundation that will guide young people towards social change and inclusion. With the Skills Clubs programme, we aim to strengthen Greek schools in this effort, supporting students in their integration into society, higher education, vocational training, and employment. We are pleased to have valuable partners by our side in this effort, such as the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and Samsung Hellas."

Ms. Eva Lianou, General Manager of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, also addressed the event, stating:

 "The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the 'Skills Clubs - 21st Century Youth Skills' initiative, firstly because the collaboration with the British Council is a constant source of inspiration, learning, and development for us, and secondly because this initiative is directly linked to our updated grantmaking strategy, which has three central pillars: Education & Skills Development, Innovation & Sustainable Development, and Social Action & Solidarity. The British Council's 'Skills Clubs' initiative, which falls under the first pillar of our Foundation's grants, is a modern educational tool, part of a broader network of actions and initiatives undertaken in recent years by other Civil Society organizations, in the coordinated national effort for the multi-level upgrading of the educational process and the broader educational ecosystem in Greece."

During the award ceremony, Mr Han Soo Kim, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Hellas, stated:

"The Samsung Group has grown into a global leader but never forgets its roots. It's in our DNA to seek ways to support children by helping them overcome challenges and fulfill their dreams for a better life. Corporate responsibility is at the heart of Samsung. This way, we can contribute to a better society globally. However, we cannot do this alone. We need to collaborate with governments and international organizations that have the vision and expertise to make a real difference. In Greece, we are honored to collaborate with the British Council and look forward to giving children across the country equal opportunities to succeed. Children are the lifeblood of our society. And as leaders of today, we must all work together to cultivate a bright future for our future leaders."

For more information, contact Viktoria Kyriaki, Education Manager, Youth, Skills & Schools, British Council

Phone: +30 210 3692337

Email: [email protected]

About the British Council

Our work in the field of society helps create an environment where citizens and institutions are able to contribute to a prosperous, open, and inclusive society, aiming to connect our local issues with corresponding international ones – from social action to issues concerning diversity and youth. We implement programs in collaboration with local and international organizations that provide expertise in areas such as youth and social entrepreneurship, equal opportunities and diversity, migration, social inclusion, and active participation in civil society.

About the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation

The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation was established in 2005 in memory of John Latsis, by his family, with the aim of preserving his legacy of public service. Since its inception, the Foundation strives to effectively respond to contemporary social needs and challenges by funding and implementing initiatives in collaboration with Civil Society organizations that possess the necessary expertise and share the common vision of shaping a more resilient, modern, and inclusive society. In this context, the Foundation's public benefit funding strategy focuses on the design, management, and funding of programs, as well as supporting the actions of third-party organizations that fall under three central pillars: Education & Skills Development, Innovation & Sustainable Development, and Social Action & Solidarity.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the world of televisions, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, memory, LSI systems, and LED solutions. The company also provides a seamless and connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and its open collaboration system. For more information, visit our official site at www.samsung.com/gr and the Samsung Newsroom at https://news.samsung.com/global/.