A shared starting point for transfer
As highlighted in the programme, this meeting represented the first opportunity to align expectations, define a common vision, and co-create the foundations of the network’s work .
Over three days, partners engaged in a structured process focused on:
- Aligning the network’s strategic direction
- Launching the transferability process
- Co-creating the network roadmap
- Strengthening collaboration between cities
More than a formal meeting, the TNM functioned as a governance and learning space, combining strategic reflection with hands-on experiences.
Immersing in Braga’s social innovation ecosystem
A central component of the meeting was the direct immersion in Braga’s social innovation ecosystem, allowing partners to experience how the Human Power Hub operates in practice .
Participants engaged with:
- The Human Power Hub model, including its quadruple helix approach
- Local stakeholders and initiatives across different sectors
- Impact-driven projects linked to citizens, public institutions and the private sector
Site visits included organisations such as the Red Cross Braga, SDG Braga Lab, and Museu DST, reflecting the diversity of actors involved in the ecosystem and its collaborative nature.
These experiences provided a concrete basis for partners to reflect on how the model can be adapted to their local contexts.
From understanding to transfer
Guided by Lead Expert Marion Cugnet, the meeting placed a strong emphasis on the transferability of the Human Power Hub Good Practice, supporting partners in moving from understanding the model to identifying pathways for adaptation and reuse.
Interactive working sessions and immersion experiences enabled:
- Collective reflection on local challenges
- Identification of transfer opportunities
- Initial steps towards city-level adaptation strategies
The meeting concluded with a dedicated session on evaluation and next steps, reinforcing the long-term commitment to the network’s transfer journey.
Connecting local action with European learning
The 1st Transnational Meeting was also strategically integrated into the Social Innovation Festival & Braga Expo Social 2026, a key moment for the city and its ecosystem.
Within this context, several network participants took part in a roundtable discussion on the Future of Social Innovation, bringing together different perspectives from across Europe and reflecting on how social innovation is evolving in diverse urban contexts.
This moment reinforced the role of the network as a platform for dialogue between local practice and European-level reflection, connecting:
- Different governance models
- Diverse territorial realities
- Shared challenges and future-oriented solutions
👉 Moving beyond internal learning, the network actively engaged with the public and local stakeholders, strengthening its relevance and visibility.
A strong start for a European transfer network
The 1st Transnational Meeting in Braga set the foundations for a structured, collaborative and practice-based transfer process, positioning the Human Power Hub Europe network as a platform for:
- Strengthening social innovation ecosystems
- Supporting cities in developing citizen-centred policies
- Building long-term capacity through cooperation and learning
As the network moves forward, this first meeting establishes a clear direction:
from understanding a Good Practice to enabling its adaptation and scaling across Europe.
