The project Social Innovation Incubators for Inclusive Digital Healthcare (INVITE) has successfully implemented its planned activities, bringing together educational institutions, teachers, students and experts to strengthen the role of vocational education and training (VET) in promoting inclusive digital healthcare and social innovation.
Through the development of innovative learning resources, capacity-building activities and the establishment of Social Innovation Incubators, the project has supported medical VET schools in addressing the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in healthcare, with particular attention to vulnerable groups and the needs of older adults.
Project Management and Coordination
Throughout the project, effective coordination and quality assurance were ensured through the development of the Project Management, Financial Management and Quality Assurance Plan. Four project meetings were organised in Split, Bursa, Zadar and Italy (online), providing opportunities for partners to coordinate activities, review progress and plan the next steps. In addition, 13 Steering Committee meetings were held to monitor project implementation and support the achievement of its objectives.
Developing the INVITE Curriculum and Open Educational Resources
Under WP2 – Design of Curriculum and Open Educational Resources for Inclusive Digital Healthcare, the project focused on strengthening teachers’ competences and developing innovative educational content for medical VET schools.
Teacher training on design thinking and open pedagogy was implemented, reaching more than 50 teachers through the initial training and subsequent multiplier activities.
A comprehensive INVITE Curriculum consisting of four modules was developed:
- Digital Inclusion and Vulnerable Groups;
- Application of Digital Health Technologies;
- Entrepreneurship in Digital Health for Older Adults;
- Ethics and Data Security.
To support the implementation of the curriculum, partners created an extensive package of Open Educational Resources (OERs), comprising 40 written materials, 40 presentations, 40 quizzes, 80 assignments and four introductory videos. Both internal and external assessments of the curriculum and OERs were completed, with the findings documented in an Assessment Report.
An additional educational collaboration was established through an eTwinning project involving three medical VET schools, eight teachers and 33 students. Together, they co-created podcasts, videos, interactive learning activities, a digital health dictionary and other educational resources, promoting collaboration and the exchange of knowledge across participating countries.
Developing the Social Innovation for Inclusive Digital Healthcare Toolkit
Within WP3 – Social Innovation for Inclusive Digital Healthcare Toolkit, the project strengthened the capacity of medical VET schools to act as drivers of social innovation in their regional healthcare ecosystems.
The second staff training, focusing on fostering social innovation in VET schools, was organised in Bursa and brought together 20 participants. The training strengthened participants’ competencies in analysing health innovation ecosystems, engaging stakeholders, applying design thinking and developing social innovation initiatives.
A practical, step-by-step Social Innovation for Inclusive Digital Healthcare Toolkit was developed to support medical VET schools in designing and implementing social innovation activities. The Toolkit consists of two modules:
- VET Schools as Drivers of Societal Change in Regional Health Innovation Ecosystems;
- Social Innovation Support Programmes in VET Schools.
It includes practical tools and guidance on stakeholder mapping, design thinking, business planning, digital health technologies and programme design. Internal and external assessments were also completed to strengthen the Toolkit’s relevance, usability and transferability, with the findings presented in a dedicated Assessment Report.
Implementing the INVITE OERs and Social Innovation Incubators
WP4 – Implementation and Assessment of the INVITE OERs and Social Innovation Incubator focused on putting the developed educational resources and social innovation approaches into practice.
The INVITE OERs were implemented in three partner medical VET schools, involving 60 students. The implementation enabled students to engage with the newly developed learning content and explore the application of digital technologies in healthcare.
The eTwinning project supporting the implementation of Social Innovation Incubators was also completed, connecting the three participating medical VET schools and encouraging cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The Social Innovation Incubator was successfully implemented in Zadar, accompanied by a Learning Expedition in Zadar, which provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences and explore social innovation in practice. The assessment of the OER implementation and the Social Innovation Incubator was also carried out to document the implementation process and evaluate the results.
Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation
Through WP5 – Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation, project results and activities were promoted among relevant stakeholders and wider audiences. The project’s online presence, promotional materials and project video were developed to increase the visibility of the initiative and its results.
Dissemination was carried out through the project’s Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, partners’ social media channels and websites, as well as various news channels, reaching more than 100,000 people across Europe. These activities helped raise awareness of the project’s objectives, activities and results, while extending their visibility beyond the project partnership.
Five project conferences were organised in Split, Bursa, Trnava, Italy and Zadar, providing opportunities to present project activities and results, exchange knowledge and engage with stakeholders from the fields of education, healthcare and social innovation.
Building a More Inclusive Digital Healthcare Future
The INVITE project has brought together educational institutions, teachers, students and other stakeholders to strengthen the connection between vocational education, digital healthcare and social innovation. Through its curriculum, Open Educational Resources, practical Toolkit, staff training and Social Innovation Incubator activities, the project has provided medical VET schools with resources and approaches to better prepare future professionals for the evolving needs of healthcare.
By encouraging collaboration, creative problem-solving and the responsible application of digital health technologies, INVITE has contributed to promoting more inclusive and innovative approaches to healthcare education and practice.