The TASK4ISI project has reached its midpoint, marking significant progress towards its mission. Launched in May 2024 with 17 partners (11 core and 6 associated) in six Central European countries, the initiative aims to improve the skills and innovation capacities of 200 under-represented ‘missing’ entrepreneurs – including women, youth, immigrants, and people with disabilities – in order to foster inclusive social innovation and increase regional competitiveness. During the first year of the project (2024–2025), the consortium has established local Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Hubs (ISIHUBs), developed pilot training programmes for vulnerable groups, and strengthened a transnational network to share knowledge and best practices. This midproject review provides an analytical overview of the key outcomes achieved so far in all major dimensions of TASK4ISI, including stakeholder participation, pilot trainings, partnership collaboration, knowledge exchange, programme implementation and progress toward project goals. It also examines the main achievements, challenges encountered, and insights gained, setting the stage for strategic adjustments and continued impact in the second half of the project.
Stakeholder Engagement and Inclusive Innovation Hubs
A cornerstone of TASK4ISI has been the active engagement of diverse stakeholders in the building of inclusive innovation hubs at the regional level. From the outset, local ISIHUBs were conceived as multiactor platforms bringing together universities, public institutions, NGOs, business support organisations, and community groups to support inclusive entrepreneurship. This approach has been highly effective: for example, in Italy, the first meeting of the Emilia-Romagna ISIHUB (held in October 2024) convened representatives from employment centres, the regional chamber of commerce, a labour agency, and trade associations, all of whom welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to collaborate. Similarly in Poland, ISIHUB Kraków’s stakeholder meetings have drawn participants from a wide spectrum of institutions – city departments (Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Social Policy), regional labour offices, technology parks, universities, social welfare centres, foundations, and more. By engaging these stakeholders, each regional hub supports the project in the local ecosystem, ensuring that support for “missing entrepreneurs” is backed by a coalition of relevant actors. Overall, by mid-term, TASK4ISI has successfully established five regional ISIHUBs as important support centres and rallied multisector stakeholder groups around them – creating an engaged support network that spans public, private and civil society domains.
Development of pilot training for vulnerable groups
During the first half of the project, TASK4ISI placed a strong emphasis on designing and piloting training and support programmes tailored for socially vulnerable and under-represented entrepreneur groups. Each ISIHUB has been tasked with offering personalised development programmes to help target beneficiaries build entrepreneurial skills, confidence, and connections. Based on these insights, the consortium jointly developed a framework curriculum of learning content and support services, which was then adapted to each region’s context. By February 2025, the ISIHUB Kraków team had presented a draught educational programme framework to local stakeholders, sparking discussion and refinement of modules to address the identified challenges (such as basic business planning, digital skills, access to finance, and mentorship).). Similar processes took place in the other regions, guided by a transnational peer review exercise (led by ZSI, Austria) that ensured consistency and quality across all pilot training programmes. As a result, the Regional Business Skills and Matchmaking Programmes for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, a key output of TASK4ISI, have been carefully tailored to the varying needs of disadvantaged entrepreneurs in each participating region. The programmes not only impart business skills, but also facilitate matchmaking and networking, connecting novice entrepreneurs with mentors, established businesses, and potential collaborators. This holistic approach addresses both the skill gap and the social capital gap often faced by vulnerable groups. Early pilot activities (such as introductory workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events) have already been rolled out through the ISIHUBs, with initial cohorts of participants taking part. These first pilots are providing valuable feedback on what works best to engage and support target groups, allowing the consortium to fine-tune the training curriculum for maximum impact in the next phase.
Knowledge-Sharing Activities and Transnational Meetings
Transnational knowledge exchange has been a defining feature of TASK4ISI’s implementation so far. In the first 15 months, the consortium organised three major transnational meetings, each serving as both a knowledge sharing forum and a project steering opportunity. The journey began with the official kick-off meeting in Kraków (June 2024), where partners and invited experts discussed the project’s objectives, methodology, and expected results. This launch established a common understanding and built trust among partners. The Second Consortium Meeting in Budapest (2 to 3 December 2024) then provided a platform to present interim progress (by then, local hubs had been initiated and stakeholder engagement was well underway) and to learn from each other’s early experiences. Hosted at Impact Hub Budapest, this meeting also included interactive workshops and was capped by a press event, emphasising transparency and stakeholder outreach. Most recently, the Third Transnational Exchange took place from 5 to 6 June 2025 in Split, Croatia, and vividly showcased the project’s commitment to deep knowledge sharing. This two-day event, hosted by Croatian partners Public Institution RERA S.D. and CEDRA Split, combined several elements: a Steering Committee meeting, a thematic exchange of TNISIHUB, study visits, and a public press conference. During the Steering Committee sessions, the partners provided detailed updates on the development of their respective ISIHUBs (reporting progress in the second project period, challenges encountered, and preparations for the upcoming mid-term evaluation). A forward-looking discussion also took place on how to sustain inclusive entrepreneurship support programmes beyond the project, including a group exercise to identify “ecosystem requirements” and characteristics of effective incubation programmes
Implementation of Regional Business Skills and Matchmaking Programmes
One of the flagship activities of TASK4ISI in its first half has been the development and initial implementation of the “Regional Business Skills and Matchmaking Programmes for Inclusive Entrepreneurship.” This refers to a suite of regionally tailored training and support programmes designed to equip aspiring and new entrepreneurs from vulnerable groups with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to start and grow their ventures. The foundations for these programmes were laid jointly by the partnership through a framework programme – essentially a common blueprint of learning objectives, modules, and support services – that was then customised to local contexts (a process often called ‘contextualisation’).). The outcome was five regional Business Skills and Matchmaking Programmes (one per implementation region) that reflect both the best practices collected in the transnational community and the specific needs of local target groups.
Insights gained and next steps
The mid-project period has provided valuable information that will inform the strategy and operations in the second half of TASK4ISI. An overarching insight is the power of cross-sector collaboration to drive inclusive innovation. By seeing the enthusiastic response of stakeholders – be it a local government office or a non-profit foundation – the project confirmed that complex social issues like inclusive entrepreneurship are best tackled through cooperative action. This reinforces the need to maintain and deepen the multihelix partnership model (involving academia, government, industry, and civil society) going forward. Another insight is that supporting disadvantaged entrepreneurs requires a holistic approach: providing training in business skills is necessary, but not sufficient. Equally important is providing mentorship, peer support, and opportunities to build social capital in the business community. In conclusion, the mid-term checkpoint finds TASK4ISI on a positive trajectory. The project has built a vibrant network of inclusive innovation hubs, designed targeted support for those who need it most, and influenced the conversation on how to merge smart and inclusive growth agendas. The challenges encountered have provided learning opportunities, and the consortium’s proactive, analytical approach to addressing them bodes well for the rest of the initiative. With strengthened partnerships, tested training models, and a clear vision for sustainability, TASK4ISI is poised to achieve its objectives at the end of the project. The insights gained – from the need for multisector engagement to the value of hands-on learning and the importance of early sustainability planning – will not only inform the next steps of the project, but also contribute to the broader knowledge base on inclusive entrepreneurship support in Europe. As TASK4ISI enters its second half, it does so with momentum and a commitment to translating the lessons of the mid-project into lasting positive change for communities and ‘missing entrepreneurs’ across Central Europe. The journey so far has laid a strong foundation, and the upcoming phase will be about capitalising on that foundation to deliver final results and impact that align with the ambitious vision set out at the beginning of the project. The consortium looks forward to the continued collaboration and innovation that will mark the path to project completion, confident that the seeds planted in the first half will yield a richer harvest of inclusive entrepreneurship in the second half and beyond.
This publication reflects the views of the author(s) only. The programme authorities are not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.