High-Speed Internet Supports Space for Social Innovation in Warsaw
In the heart of Warsaw is a space where social innovations can appear, grow, and mature in favorable conditions. Dreamers and Craftsmen House of Social Innovation was created for innovative and unconventional people who care about issues like the quality of life in the city, management of public space, and implementation of public policies. It aims to connect people from different environments: public administration, nongovernmental organizations, entrepreneurs, and the academic community. It is a project of Fundacja Pracownia Badań I Innowacji Społecznych, also known as Stocznia, or Shipyard.
In its space on the third floor of a former department store, Dreamers and Craftsmen organizes regular discussions regarding city and countrywide topics. It also hosts meetings on social innovation and will soon be involved in incubating innovations. The organization recently opened a library where Warsaw residents can borrow books on architecture, urbanization, history, and city management.
Collaboration and Exploration
In early 2016, Dreamers and Craftsmen acquired Cisco equipment through TechSoup Poland's donation program, Technologie.org.pl. This equipment allows the organization to provide every corner of its space with a high-speed Internet connection. Now both users and employees can use fast, wireless, and reliable Internet service that enables efficient and smooth collaboration.
Thanks to Cisco switches, access points, and routers, Dreamers and Craftsmen House of Social Innovation can now do things like organize a hackathon for 50 people. Each participant can connect using multiple devices and can code and upload and download information at high speed.
House of Social Innovations recently hosted the Festival of Mobile Apps and Games. High-speed Internet allowed hundreds of visitors to explore dozens of mobile applications presented during the festival.
Connection and Growth
Thanks to Cisco equipment, Dreamers and Craftsmen can hold regular tech meetups. For example, Engage Warsaw Drinks brings together user experience (UX) designers, who exchange their experience and inspire each other. The organization also organizes Hackerspace workshops for children and adults interested in handicrafts and technological novelties. Geek Girls Carrot is an initiative that aims to grow girls' IT knowledge. Another group, DigitalKod, uses House of Social Innovation as a place to meet people for whom technology is a passion.
Dreamers and Craftsmen House of Social Innovation is a unique place in Warsaw. The location, charm, and tradition of this place plus high-quality equipment provide local society with many opportunities to make social change. As the organization's manifesto says: "For a long time we have dreamt about creating a place in Warsaw dedicated to social innovations. … As far as we know, it is the first place dedicated solely to this aim in the city of Warsaw (if not in all of Poland)."
