From July 1st to 12th, the Italian National Contact Point (NCP) hosted Cristina Pojoga, partner and senior consultant of Fonduri Structurale.ro, the organization managing the Romanian NCP, for a stimulating job shadowing experience. This initiative enabled a fruitful exchange of ideas and practices between the two organizations, bringing new perspectives and collaboration opportunities.

A Tailored Program

The agenda was carefully designed to meet the needs of our guest, including activities covering various aspects of project management and the innovation ecosystem. Each day featured at least one meeting focused on different types of activities:

1. Presentation of Fondazione Brodolini Activities: During these meetings, we provided a detailed overview of the activities not only of the NCP but also of the organization that manages it (FGB), showcasing various innovation projects, European tenders, private projects, and those with public administrations. Topics discussed included partnerships, implementation phases, roles, main challenges, and achieved results.
2. Workshops and Bilateral Work Sessions: These moments of interaction were crucial for understanding the strategic lines of the two organizations and discussing future collaboration possibilities, addressing common organizational challenges such as improving success rates in European funding applications.
3. Ecosystem Presentation: We introduced organizations and stakeholders from the network in Turin and Milan, highlighting the quadruple helix model: universities, public administrations, companies, and the third sector. Project visits and best practices covered themes such as urban regeneration, the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the workforce, and environmental sustainability.
4. Leisure Moments and Informal Exchanges: Informal discussions allowed for the exchange of ideas about key lessons learned, challenges faced by different organizations and NCPs, and the review of daily sessions.

Exploring the Territory

Our agenda also included visits to Milan and Turin to provide a broader perspective on social innovation dynamics. In these cities, we explored urban regeneration projects, such as the Bagni di Via Agliè project, and met with external partners like Torino Social Impact and the Municipality of Milan to discuss civic crowdfunding initiatives and other innovative practices.

Reflections and Conclusions

This job shadowing experience provided an important opportunity for mutual learning. The collaboration between the organizations managing the Italian and Romanian NCPs was enriching, allowing us to create connections and identify potential areas for collaboration.

We are grateful to Cristina for her participation and enthusiasm!