On Wednesday, June 17, the Centro Ágora in Albacete was transformed into a space for debate, inspiration and, above all, connection. At the Social Innovation Cluster of Castilla-La Mancha (SIC CLM), we celebrated the 1st Regional Social Innovation Forum with great enthusiasm, a gathering that not only exceeded our expectations but also marks a turning point in how we understand the development of our region.

Under the slogan “Because innovating is not just about creating projects. It is about building new ways to collaborate,” this forum served as the framework for the official presentation of our cluster. Thus, a living ecosystem designed by and for Castilla-La Mancha is born.

A meeting point to transform the territory

The current challenges facing Castilla-La Mancha—from the demographic challenge and depopulation to digitalization, social inclusion, and the green transition—cannot be solved in isolation. They demand open, cross-cutting, and participatory innovation.

For this reason, the 1st Regional Social Innovation Forum managed to bring together the four fundamental pillars for change:

• Public administrations and local stakeholders.
• Private companies committed to impact.
• Social entities and the third sector.
• The University and the academic fabric.

«Innovation is not measured solely in economic terms, but by its real capacity to improve people’s lives and strengthen the cohesion of our communities.»

What is the Social Innovation Cluster CLM (SIC CLM)?

For those who could not join us in Albacete, the SIC CLM is an organization focused on social innovation. Our goal is to connect people, organizations, and institutions that share a firm commitment: to face emerging social challenges through creative, sustainable solutions with a real long-term impact.

We want to promote a territorial development model based on cooperation and the building of solid alliances. The event on June 17 was the first step on a long journey in which we proved that Castilla-La Mancha has the talent and the desire to lead social transformation.

Discussion panels and shared learning

During the afternoon of the forum, attendees enjoyed presentations and roundtables where successful experiences were shared, and a highly enriching collective conversation was opened. Key ideas debated included:

• Organizations with impact and territorial commitment: How to promote social innovation in Castilla-La Mancha to generate rooted development with a positive impact on the territory.
• Young talent and social entrepreneurship: Designing and building new opportunities in the region by supporting the potential of new generations to lead projects with social value.
• Collaboration as innovation: The importance of cooperating across different sectors and perspectives to build a solid, dynamic ecosystem enriched by diversity.

The future starts now: Join the Cluster!

The 1st Regional Social Innovation Forum was the spark, but the engine must keep running. At SIC CLM, we are building something new and we want you to be part of it. Whether you are a company, an NGO, a researcher, or a citizen eager to change things, this is your space.

📩 Do you want to collaborate or receive more information? Write to us at: info@laisvecluster.org or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/M8swMbQ23sfN5Kn1A

Stay tuned: Don’t miss our next steps to continue building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable Castilla-La Mancha.

Thank you to everyone who made this 1st Regional Social Innovation Forum possible!