Social design for inclusive local learning ecosystems: an entrepreneurial cultural affinity approach

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The ECAS (Entrepreneurial Cultural Affinity Spaces) framework seeks to transform social design theory and practice, through an emergent instructional paradigm of heritage-led, local learning ecosystem approaches, to leverage on diverse assets of people in community settings. OBJECTIVES: This paper addresses the theoretical backdrop of how such ecosystems can be co-designed, implemented, and evaluated, to include disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. METHODS: We seek to introduce the ECAS framework and how it can present an inclusive and open instructional paradigm that improves design for social change, innovation, and entrepreneurship in practice. RESULTS: In this paper, we address implementation through an Erasmus Plus, Adult Education research project, discussing the framework, conditions, and support mechanisms developed. CONCLUSION: Reconfiguration of design for social change and our collective mind-set, will create the conditions for more dynamic and powerful collaborations that stimulate and enable social innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusion.