Lagos Hosted the Meeting of the Social Innovation Incubator Network
The municipality of Lagos hosted, on March 27 and 28, the Meeting of the Social Innovation Incubator Network (RIIS), which brought together leading professionals and organizations in the field of social innovation in Portugal.
Structure and Assistance
Organized by the Social Entrepreneurs Agency, with the support of Lagos City Council, the event aimed to promote the sharing of best practices, foster new collaborations, and strengthen the social impact generated by the network’s incubators.
Activities Performed and Subjects Addressed
On March 27, activities kicked off at the Entrepreneur’s Factory of Lagos, including the welcoming of participants, networking sessions, and cultural initiatives. Among these were a boat tour along the Lagos coastline, a visit to the city’s historic center, and a tour of Colagos – the Municipal Coworking Space.
The following day, March 28, the meeting took place at the Paços do Concelho Séc. XXI building, featuring working sessions and strategic debates. The opening session included speeches by Henrique Sim-Sim, President of RIIS, Frederico Costa, President of SEA – Entrepreneur’s Factory, and Sandra Oliveira, Councillor of the Lagos City Council. In her remarks, Sandra Oliveira emphasized the importance of the municipality’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the region’s sustainable development, highlightening how this gathering provided a platform for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and creating new opportunities for the business ecosystem.
Additionally, Councillor Sandra Oliveira emphasized that incubators are crucial for promoting economic and social progress. They nurture innovation, empower startups, and turn promising ideas into strong, competitive companies. She further noted the importance of collaborative networks, which help ventures grow sustainably, expand more easily, generate local value, and improve community well-being.
Entry of Additional Participants
Subsequently, the ceremony for the admission of new members to RIIS took place, followed by a working session dedicated to setting priorities for the network. In the afternoon, a panel discussion entitled “Mobilizing the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem for Impact” was held, featuring Marta Albuquerque (Vice-President of Portugal Social Innovation), Jorge Basto (Share Algarve), and Miguel Fernandes (Algarve Evolution).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the meeting served as an important opportunity to showcase Lagos’s territory and its social innovation ecosystem at the national level, further strengthening the municipality’s role in promoting impactful entrepreneurial initiatives.
