HOPE project's partner, City of Maribor in Podravje Region (Slovenia), hosted the second virtual session of the partnership on the 4th and 5th October. On the second day of the workshop 'Good practices on Inclusive Societies through Social Entrepreneurship and Digital Opportunities', over 30 key stakeholders from Seinäjoki, Maribor (Slovenia) and Derry & Strabane (Northern Ireland), moderated by Klemen Risto Bizjak from City of Maribor had the opportunity to learn about social entrepreneurship and digital opportunities.

Seija Sampo from Kaks'Kättä Työpaja (Two Hands Workshop in English) explained how her organisation helps young people and the long-term unemployed to enter the labour market, through coaching and training. For example, in Kaks'Kättä Työpaja are 13 work departments, that offer varied work in cafes, home service, recycling centres, textile service, wood department, restoration- and metal workshop... because of they have so many different professional fields, the workers can try on different kind of work, or they can keep up their vocation after long term unemployment.

Continuing in Seinajoki in Finland Mari Heroja-Anttila from Buusti a small and local, non-profit association whose strengths are low threshold operations and community. Their rehabilitation and employment services are always tailored to the customer individually and their common goal is to promote the well-being of those in need of mental, physical and social support. The name Buusti communicates this, as well as the flagship message “Buusti to a happy life” - there is important support and a springboard towards a human goal: a good everyday life and a happy life.

We jumped from Seinajoki to Derry (Northern Ireland) by the presentation of Sinead Lynch and Bronagh McNamara from Ruby’s Fitness whose relealises about the lack of facilities and access to proper exercise, fitness programmes and wellness for people of all ages with additional needs. So, to showcase the benefits of exercise, fitness and wellness, not just physically but also mentally they create an innovative new app, inspired by a Sinead Lynch late daughter called Ruby, to promote and focus on exercise and wellness for children and adults with additional needs. 

Another interesting talk was given by Niamh Kelly and  Hannah Sharp the youth ambassadors of Reimagine, Remake, Replay programme. This project aims to connect young people and heritage through meaningful ways through creative media and the latest technologies whilst delving into museums collections in new ways. The project plans to connect with more than 4,000 16-25 year olds with Museum’s and heritage through the use of creative media and the very latest cutting edge digital technologies.

Dejan Valh, Head of Computer Systems Support Department from IZUM overviewed the HPC VEGA Super computer, the most powerful public supercomputer in Slovenia. It operates with the aim of opening up new research and development fields in segments that help to shape global trends. The project "Upgrading national research infrastructures – HPC RIVR" is aimed at establishing a national supercomputing centre with the principal objective of strengthening national high performance computing capacities for the needs of the Slovenian research and innovation as well as economic area.

Vesna Plavec presented the Avantgard metalli an handcraft and cultural-artistic cooperative, socially responsible model of a sustainable enterprise that accepts challenges in new business, social, environmental and economic perspectives and upgrades them to better values. Avantgard metalli creates modern handcrafts and art products and the “silver thread” is the reuse of industrial aluminium. The use of scrap metal keeps the environment cleaner and raises awareness of the importance of recycling and reuse. By promoting the preservation of local cultural heritage, they are increasing the visibility of handcrafts, transfer the knowledge and skills of forgotten artistic and handicraft techniques.