AdoptGrandParents and ColorADD were among the SIT laureates taking part in the first social innovation village organised by Portugal Inovação Social and supported by the EIB Institute among others.

For two days on 4 and 5 July, Cerdeira, a village located in an area devastated by forest fires in 2017, was transformed into an interactive location where the most innovative social initiatives in Portugal showcased their projects and exchanged ideas, best practices and experiences during panel discussions. Since its inception, Portugal Inovação Social has supported 40 social innovation projects and approximately 100 capacity building initiatives in Portugal.

More than 50 projects submitted an idea to fight fires and contribute to the revitalisation of the devastated area, with the best five attending a bootcamp organised by IES Social Business School and making a final pitch to a panel of social investors, including the Institute. The winning project was Extinctus Enterprise.

Portugal Inovação Social is a pioneer government structure that channels EU funds to support social innovation and the development of the Portuguese social entrepreneurship ecosystem. IRIS, the first regional social incubator, also attended the event, which will be repeated in 2019.