5th Edition of Social Design Days | 19–20 March 2026 | Covilhã, Portugal

Design has the power to shape not only products and services, but societies, systems, and futures. With this vision in mind, the 5th edition of Social Design Days will take place on 19–20 March 2026 in Covilhã, Portugal, bringing together researchers, designers, practitioners, and changemakers committed to social innovation and sustainability.

Why Social Design?

Organized within the framework of the DESIS Network (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability), this event reflects the network’s core mission: to use design thinking and design knowledge to trigger, enable, and scale social innovation.

Who Should Participate?

We invite DESIS Lab members, partners, collaborators, researchers, academics, and practitioners working in the field of Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability to submit proposals for workshops or presentations.

Whether you are working within communities, institutions, or interdisciplinary research environments, your insights and experiences are welcome.

A full program outline has been shared with members, offering a preview of the themes and discussions that will guide the session. 

Topics of Interest

Proposals may address, but are not limited to:

• Reflecting on concrete territorial challenges such as climate change, aging populations, mobility, and the promotion of local cultures and economies.
• Sharing best practices, methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations within design projects.
• Rethinking design strategies grounded in participatory processes that respond to communities’ needs, values, and resources, especially marginalized groups.
• Exploring human-centered design approaches to strengthen territorial resilience and identity.
• Demonstrating the potential of design strategies in emergency scenarios and social or environmental adversities.

Formats and Duration

• Workshops: Up to 90 minutes
• Presentations: Up to 20 minutes