Beyond Applause: Good Intentions Aren’t Enough
Social designers on the struggles of turning impact into sustainable change
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
Moderated by Charlotte Grün
Special Guests
Isaac Monté & Eleni Karagiannidou – Social & Circular Designers, Greece
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”?
Daryna Pasyuta, Marjo van Schaik & Fulco Treffers – Designers & Cultural Connectors, NL/UA
Ukrainian and Dutch designers share what it means to design in wartime. With contributions from Fulco Treffers, Marjo van Schaik, and Ukrainian colleagues, we hear personal and professional stories from the frontline. Almost four years into the war, the challenge is no longer emergency relief, but keeping attention, empathy and culture alive. Life in Ukraine is not hopeless — people continue to create, design, and resist. Yet here in the West, fear grows. How do designers, architects and artists keep going, and how do we stay connected to their struggles?
How can we, as a Give-to-Grow community, help these designers move beyond applause — and turn impact into lasting change?
Our city is growing fast and the world is facing huge challenges. This is the moment to connect the superpowers of our regional ecosystems. What can we envision to ensure an attractive and enduring habitat for future generations? Which experiments and prototypes are needed to stay a step ahead? What can we learn from other cities?
Join the EHV Innovation Café Special Fuck-up Meetup
Do you want be a part of the Future of Eindhoven? Mark the event in your calendar and secure your ticket here. Walk in is also possible but the seats for the debat are limited. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Monday during DDW, 20 October 2025
17:30 Walk-in and networking, we’ll offer a free drink and a bite
18:00 Introduction to the Special Guests followed by a moderated debate
19:00 Networking
20:00 Meet-up dinner with the speakers
English spoken, of course