Lessons from Young Social Innovators Incubation Program: Insights from the Young Innovators Network Project by the Society of Young Social Innovators

Abstract

          This article is a synthesis of results from the internal evaluation of the “Young Innovators Network Project,” carried out by the Society of Young Social Innovators (SYSI) with funding support from the Office for the Promotion of Child, Youth, and Family Well-being (Office 4) of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). The article draws lessons from the Young Social Innovators Incubation Program which occurred between 2021 and 2024 with the aims of 1) synthesizing learning models for young social innovators of the 21st century, and 2) analyzing factors that facilitate the learning processes to correspond to contemporary and adapt to future contexts. The research indicates that educational models that would equip youth with the skills and knowledge for the future must include opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and engagement with cross-network collaboration. The process should cultivate the youth to be agile, open and adaptable to the social dynamic and uncertainties while promoting sensitivity to diverse ideas and methodologies. This article argues that designing a social innovation incubation program for youth must include clarity, responsibility, flexible learning platforms, and mentorship. The program should have a clear objective and target groups. The program should have a key responsible person to oversee the whole program and each activity. Learning platforms should be available online and offline and complementary to each other. An additional team of mentors with diverse expertise and background can play a crucial role in facilitating individual and collective learning while closely overseeing and assisting project advancement, thereby cultivating effective and attentive development of youth at individual, team, and social innovation program levels.