Dit event is in het Engels, dus de tekst hier ook — wel zo makkelijk. At this Fuck-up Meetup edition of the EHV Innovation Café, social designers from Greece, The Netherlands and Ukraine share their struggles: turning applause into action, impact into lasting change. Join the conversation and help us explore how our community can make a difference.
Doing good is not enough. Social and circular initiatives often receive applause and admiration — but when the spotlight fades, the real struggle begins. How do you turn social impact into structural change? And how do you keep attention, hope and courage alive in times of war?
At this special Fuck-up Meetup edition of the EHV Innovation Café, we give the floor to designers who are hitting real limits — economic, social, emotional. Together we’ll explore how our Give-to-Grow community can help them move forward.
Isaac Monté & Eleni Karagiannidou – Social & Circular Designers, Greece
• Superpower: Turning wheat straw into social impact
• Struggle: Making social and circular design economically viable
Daryna Pasyuta, Marjo van Schaik & Fulco Treffers – Designers & Cultural Connectors, NL/UA
• Superpower: Keeping design alive under the threat of war
• Struggle: Holding attention and connection beyond the first wave of empathy
+ more Ukrainian speakers to be announced soon
This is not about sudden humanitarian aid workers stepping in, but about designers who claim their role by placing people and nature at the center. They work across borders — both literal and figurative — and continuously seek connection, using creation as their tool. That is what true social design looks like.
Join us for an honest conversation at this Fuck-up Meetup.
Together we’ll explore how to move from applause to action.
Staramaki is a social and circular enterprise in Greece that turns wheat straw into sustainable products. Their story always inspires: circular economy, social inclusion, and beautiful design. But as co-founder Isaac Monté and Eleni Karagiannidou explain, inspiration is not enough. Once the applause fades, they face the hard truth: social and environmental value is rarely translated into actual revenue. Sustainable solutions are labeled “too expensive,” while the hidden costs of polluting alternatives remain invisible.
The challenge: how to bridge the gap between social impact and economic viability? How to grow a community of ambassadors who support now, not “when prices come down”?
Our events are open to all. Expect an evening with inspiring ideas, critical questions, and imaginative alternatives to the status quo. Mark the event in your calendar and secure your ticket here (Tickets will be available from October 1st). Walk in is also possible but the seats for the Fuck Up are limited. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
17:30 Walk-in and networking, we’ll offer a free drink and a bite
18:00 Intro to the Special Guests followed by a moderated debate
19:00 Networking
19:30 Posibility to join the Meet-up dinner with the speakers