Reviving the Pioneer Spirit
Turning Public Spaces into Soft Skills Labs
Transforming city spaces into open labs for creativity, learning and community engagement
Overview
What has been done
The local action transformed public spaces into temporary soft skills labs, making learning accessible to everyone. As part of the summer event series Kr’ petek je! in Kranj, three open workshops invited children, families and passers-by to participate in creative, hands-on activities. Participants designed textile products, explored basic electronics and created wooden crafts using natural materials. Each workshop was led by a local expert and encouraged learning through making, experimentation and collaboration. A dedicated “Power of Soft Skills” reflection wall was present at all events, inviting participants to identify and share the soft skills they had used. Through this approach, the pilot brought creativity, initiative and community learning directly into everyday urban life.
Why was it needed locally
Many people have limited access to soft skills development outside formal education or work environments. The pilot addressed this gap by bringing learning opportunities directly into the public space and engaging citizens who would not normally participate in workshops or innovation activities. It aimed to raise awareness of the importance of soft skills such as creativity, communication and problem-solving through practical experiences. At the same time, it strengthened community participation and demonstrated that learning can happen anywhere.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Regional society – Citizens, families, children and visitors of the summer event programme Kr’ petek je! in Kranj.
Activation: The workshops were organised in a busy public space as part of a well-known city event programme. The open format allowed anyone to join without prior registration or previous experience.
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Public city-centre location
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Integration into existing summer events
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Free participation
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Hands-on activities attractive to families and children
Benefit: Participants experienced soft skills development in an informal and engaging environment. The workshops encouraged creativity, collaboration and confidence through hands-on activities and reflection.
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Improved awareness of soft skills
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Increased creativity and problem-solving
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Learning through practical experience
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Community engagement and interaction
Maker space – Kovačnica Business Incubator and local makerspace ecosystem.
Activation: Local experts and facilitators were invited to design and deliver public workshops. Existing makerspace knowledge and tools were adapted to an outdoor public setting.
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Collaboration with local facilitators
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Public demonstrations
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Community outreach
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Practical workshop activities
Benefit: The pilot enabled makerspace methodologies and creative learning approaches to reach a broader audience outside traditional innovation environments. It also increased the visibility of makerspace activities within the local community.
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Increased public visibility
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New community connections
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Promotion of maker culture
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Demonstration of soft skills learning methods
Resources Required
Staff
Facilitators with creative, maker and community engagement competences
~10 staff days for planning, coordination, promotion, implementation and evaluation
Space
Public city square in Kranj as part of the Kr’ petek je! summer event programme
Equipment
Creative workshop materials, reflection wall, tables, chairs and promotional materials
Budget
Medium: 2-10,000 €
Budget of approximately €2,000 covering workshop facilitators, creative materials, reflection wall materials, promotion and event equipment
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Open lab:
Temporary public soft skills labs were set up in the city centre as part of the summer event programme. Citizens could freely join creative hands-on activities, experiment, learn and reflect on the soft skills they used throughout the process.
Methods used: Learning by Making: Participants developed soft skills while creating tangible outputs such as textile products, electronic circuits and wooden crafts. Learning happened through direct experience, experimentation and trial-and-error.Reflection Wall: Participants identified and documented the skills they used during the workshops through a public reflection wall.
Community Engagement: Citizens were invited to participate, reflect and contribute their own experiences and learning outcomes.
Workshop:
Three facilitated workshops enabled participants to develop creativity, communication and problem-solving skills through guided activities led by local experts.
Methods used: Guided Facilitation: Facilitators encouraged active participation, creativity and independent problem-solving rather than providing traditional instruction.Experiential Learning: Participants learned through direct experience and hands-on creation of tangible outputs.
Public Awareness Raising: The workshops and Soft Skills Wall helped make soft skills visible and understandable to a wider audience.
Steps taken
PLAN THE PROGRAMME
1 month
- Define workshops: Select activities that naturally develop creativity, communication and problem-solving.
- Contact facilitators: Invite local experts and creative professionals to lead the workshops.
- Plan logistics: Prepare materials, equipment and event schedule.
PREPARE THE PUBLIC SPACE
1 day
- Coordinate with event organisers: Align workshop activities with the city event programme.
- Prepare equipment: Check materials, tools and workshop supplies before the event.
- Set up Soft Skills Wall: Prepare a visible reflection space for participant feedback.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
4 hours
- Facilitate practical activities: Guide participants through creative and maker-based tasks.
- Encourage collaboration: Support interaction, teamwork and knowledge sharing.
- Promote experimentation: Allow participants to learn through trial, error and discovery.
COLLECT FEEDBACK
1 week
- Gather participant reflections: Invite participants to identify skills they used during the activity.
- Document outcomes: Collect photos, feedback and examples of completed work.
- Review participant feedback: Analyse reflections collected through the Soft Skills Wall.
- Promote results: Share outcomes through social media and project communication channels.
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- Improved transversal skills: More than 130 participants engaged in three public workshops that strengthened key soft skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration, adaptability and problem-solving. Through hands-on activities and reflection exercises, participants became more aware of the skills they use in everyday life.
- Improved maker skills: Participants developed practical maker skills through textile design, basic electronics and woodworking activities. The workshops encouraged experimentation, hands-on learning and confidence in creating tangible products independently.
- Stakeholder awareness / network extensions: The pilot increased awareness of the importance of soft skills among citizens, families and local organisations. The "Power of Soft Skills" reflection wall collected participant insights and helped make soft skills visible and understandable to a wider audience.
Indirect Impacts
The pilot demonstrated that public spaces can successfully be used as accessible environments for soft skills development and community learning. It increased awareness of the importance of creativity, collaboration and problem-solving among citizens of all ages, while also strengthening connections between local organisations, facilitators and the wider community.
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Continue Public Soft Skills Labs: Based on the positive response, Kovačnica Kranj plans to organise similar public workshops in the future as part of local community and innovation events.
- Integrate the Format into Future Soft Skills Activities: The Society Seedbed approach will be considered as a best-practice example within future regional soft skills initiatives and strategic activities. The tested format offers a simple and transferable way to engage citizens in lifelong learning.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
Participant satisfaction was very high across all three workshops. The hands-on format, informal atmosphere and opportunity to create tangible outputs were consistently highlighted as the most enjoyable aspects. The "Power of Soft Skills" reflection wall proved to be an effective tool for making soft skills visible and encouraging self-reflection.
Satisfaction - Details
- High Participant Engagement: More than 130 participants took part in the three workshops, demonstrating strong community interest in creative public learning activities.
- Positive Learning Experience: An estimated 70% of participants actively contributed to the "Power of Soft Skills" reflection wall. Feedback most frequently highlighted creativity, patience, communication and problem-solving as skills participants recognised in themselves during the activities.
Transfer Hints
- Bring Learning into Public Spaces: Hosting activities in visible public locations helps reach people who would not normally participate in educational or innovation programmes. The open format lowers barriers to participation and encourages spontaneous engagement.
- Combine Making with Reflection: Hands-on activities are most effective when participants are also encouraged to reflect on what they learned. The Soft Skills Wall helped make abstract skills visible and easier to recognise.
- Work with Local Experts: Involving local creatives, makers and professionals increases authenticity and strengthens connections between the community and local talent. Participants relate more easily to people from their own region.
- Adapt the Workshop Topics: The specific workshop content can be changed according to local interests, available facilitators or target groups. The core idea is to develop soft skills through practical activities.
- Choose Different Public Locations: Activities can take place in city squares, parks, community centres, schools or festivals. The exact location is less important than creating an open and accessible environment.
- Adapt the Reflection Method: Instead of a Soft Skills Wall, organisers may use surveys, discussion circles or digital feedback tools. The important element is encouraging participants to recognise and discuss the skills they developed.
- Don't Overcomplicate Activities: Keep workshops simple, practical and easy to join. Overly complex activities may discourage participation, especially among younger participants and passers-by.
- Don't Forget the Reflection Element: Without reflection, participants may enjoy the activity but fail to recognise the soft skills they developed. Make reflection a visible and integral part of the experience.
- Test Materials and Equipment in Advance: Check all tools, workshop materials and equipment before the event. Missing supplies or faulty equipment can disrupt the activity and negatively affect participant experience.
- Don't Rely Only on Pre-Registered Participants: One of the strengths of the format is attracting spontaneous visitors. Ensure the event remains open, welcoming and easy to join for passers-by.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
Replicate This Application?
Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Maruša Bonča
Email: marusa.bonca@bsc-kranj.si
Need more information?
Project manager:
Franziska Görmar
IfL - Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, Germany
Email
This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
Find more information about the x-Inno Radar project on the Interreg CE projectwebsite.
x-Inno Radar is a project of: 
Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria Gmbh, 
The Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, 
Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, 
Creative Industry Košice, n. o., 
BSC, Business support centre, ltd., Kranj, 
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, 
Stebo Competence Centre Community Developmentm, 
Association of Cultural and Creative Industries Chemnitz and Region (Creative Chemnitz), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography – Germany, Otelo Cooperative