Powering an AI Social Innovation & Cross-Community Event Series

As part of an innovative approach to fostering connections among social enterprises and charities across Scotland, The Melting Pot introduced a ‘Bridging Communities’ event series and 'AI Social Innovation' project.

The two series united a diverse range of social enterprises and charities — creating meaningful connections and driving impactful collaborations.

The Melting Pot partnered with Community Lab to provide an online ecosystem that runs in tandem with the physical events held across the country. This digital extension ensures their events are not just one-off occurrences but part of a broader, ongoing community experience with legacy and vibrancy.

Why was Community Lab used?

The Melting Pot aimed to give more sustained power to their event series by creating a sense of community that extends beyond physical gatherings.

The energy or excitement we feel after an event doesn’t need to be temporary. Community Lab provides a space to keep the energy alive — treating physical events as the catalysts for much bigger, blossoming movements.

The Bridging Communities Event Series needed a digital platform that would enable attendees to prepare more effectively for events, create lasting impact in the aftermath, and foster a shared sense of belonging, regardless of whether participants could attend in person or not.

Community Lab provided the perfect space to achieve these goals — transforming events into a continuous conversation and a thriving community.

How is Community Lab used?

Community Lab serves as the central hub for The Melting Pot's ‘Bridging Communities’ event series.

The platform hosts the event pages and ticketing system — using dedicated groups to provide a safe space for each event. These groups support asynchronous posts/comments and synchronous chats to encourage participants to connect and collaborate both before and after the events.

Clustering these groups into a broader community enabled attendees to engage in ongoing discussions, access event resources such as slides and post-event materials, and continue their learning and networking journey long into the future.

What was the impact of this collaboration?

Since partnering with Community Lab, The Melting Pot has seen a significant increase in event attendance and engagement.

Attendees are not only more connected but also feel more prepared, psychologically sage, and comfortable engaging in (online) group discussions. Not only has Community Lab streamlined The Melting Pot’s reporting and integration workflows for event managers, but it has also helped to magnify the impact of their work and spark meaningful connections across their wider network of event partners.