TIRESIA is a research centre based in the School of Management of the Polytechnic University of Milan, specialising in social innovation, sustainable finance, and impact investing. In this article, TIRESIA explains its role in the SETS project, highlighting how it contributes by analysing skills gaps, shaping the curriculum, and ensuring that the training modules are aligned with the real needs of Social Economy Organisations.
At Tiresia, we addressed the challenges outlined by SETS by first examining the core issues facing Europe’s social economy. Despite the vast opportunities that digital technology presents, many Social Economy Organisations (SEOs) struggle with a significant skills deficit. Managers, employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries often lack the digital literacy and specialised training needed to leverage modern tools effectively. This persistent gap directly impacts an organisation’s efficiency and, most importantly, the quality of services it provides. Recognising this barrier was crucial to initiating training, developing courses that directly addressed the most pressing and common deficiencies, and ensuring our efforts had a tangible impact in the real world.
To ensure our training was grounded in reality, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of key documents and conducted targeted focus groups. We reviewed foundational EU frameworks, such as Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DIGComp), and influential reports like the Base Report and B-Wise Report, along with other relevant sources. This provided a robust, data-driven foundation for our curriculum development.
Complementing this desk research, we designed three Focus Groups. These sessions brought together experts in the field: one at the EU level and one in each of our pilot countries, France and Slovenia. Each 1.5 hour session was a deep dive into the practical challenges and needs of SEOs. Through these discussions, we highlighted the most critical skills to focus on, including: Digital Collaboration and Data Management, Advanced Digital Competencies, Digital Communication Skills, and Digital Strategy. This approach combines broad analysis with expert insight, and guarantes that our courses would be highly relevant and practical for the target audience.
Design phase
With a clear understanding of the needed skills, we moved into the design phase. Guided by the initial project proposal, we developed three distinct teaching modules, each tailored to a specific area of expertise:
- A course for service providers on Social Economy and Impact Management
- A course for SEOs on Communicating and Collaborating in Digital Environments
- A course for SEOs on Understanding Artificial Intelligence
To optimise learning and ensure the content is easily digestible, each of these courses was then broken down into smaller, logical sub-modules. This structure allows participants to engage with the material efficiently, building their knowledge step-by-step and guaranteeing maximum user experience and comprehension. This structured process ensures that the training provided by the SETS project is not just theoretical but a practical, needs-base, solution for the challenges facing the social economy today.
Step 1: Identifying the Skills Gap
The first step in our journey was to understand the core challenge facing Europe’s social economy. Despite the vast opportunities that digital technology presents, many SEOs struggle with a significant skills deficit. Managers, employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries often lack the digital literacy and specialized training needed to leverage modern tools effectively. This persistent gap directly impacts an organization’s efficiency and, most importantly, the quality of services it provides.
Recognizing this barrier was crucial. It wasn’t enough to simply offer training; we needed to build courses that directly addressed the most pressing and common deficiencies, ensuring our efforts would have a real-world impact.
Step 2: In-Depth Analysis and Focus Groups
To ensure our training was grounded in reality, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of key documents and conducted targeted focus groups. We meticulously reviewed foundational EU frameworks, such as DIGComp, and influential reports like the Base Report and B-Wise Report, along with other relevant sources. This provided a robust, data-driven foundation for our curriculum.
Complementing this desk research, we convened three SETS Focus Groups. These sessions brought together experts in the field, one at the EU level and one in each of our pilot countries, France and Slovenia. Each 1.5-hour session was a deep dive into the practical challenges and needs of SEOs. Through these discussions, we highlighted the most critical skills to focus on, including:
- Digital Collaboration and Data Management
- Advanced Digital Competencies
- Digital Communication Skills
- Digital Strategy
This two-pronged approach, combining broad analysis with expert insight, guaranteed that our courses would be highly relevant and practical for the target audience.
Step 3: Course Design and Module Development
With a clear understanding of the needed skills, we moved into the design phase. Guided by the initial project proposal, we developed three distinct teaching modules, each tailored to a specific area of expertise:
- Social Economy and Impact Management: This course is designed for service providers, focusing on how to manage and measure social impact in a digital context.
- Communicating and Collaborating in Digital Environments: This module targets SEOs more broadly, offering practical skills to improve teamwork and communication using digital tools.
- Understanding Artificial Intelligence: This course demystifies AI for SEOs, helping them grasp its potential and learn how to ethically and effectively apply it in their work.
To optimize learning and ensure the content is easily digestible, each of these courses was then broken down into smaller, logical sub-modules. This structure allows participants to engage with the material efficiently, building their knowledge step-by-step and guaranteeing maximum usability and comprehension.
This structured process ensures that the training provided by the SETS project is not just theoretical but a practical solution for the challenges facing the social economy today.
