What is social innovation?
Social innovations are innovations that are social in both their goals and their methods. They involve new ideas in the form of products, services, or models that meet social needs more effectively than existing alternatives while also fostering new social relationships or collaborations.
Reference: Mulgan & Pulford 2010, pp. 17–18
(translated and adapted by Forum for Social Innovation Sweden)
Characteristics of social innovation
All innovations have a social dimension. They are developed and used within a social context and have an impact on people and society. The term “social innovation,” however, refers to innovations where both the goals and the methods are social. This means that the primary purpose is to address societal challenges and improve people’s living conditions. It also concerns how the innovation is developed—through collaborative processes where new ways of working together, new relationships, and new structures are created.
Social innovation is typically described in terms of three key dimensions:
- to meet social needs
- to transform social relationships
- to empower people
Social innovations can take the form of innovative methods, initiatives, or partnerships. They can emerge at all levels of society, from the local to the global, and across all sectors: civil society, the public sector, the private sector, and academia. They often involve cross-sectoral collaboration.
What is the innovative aspect of social innovation?
It differs from what is already established in society, in terms of both social goals and the means used to achieve them.It may be something new in a specific context, such as for an organization, a target group, or a location. It may also involve new methods, services, or activities, or new ways of collaborating and co-creating with target groups and other stakeholders. In some cases, it is based on new ways of understanding a societal challenge or on alternative visions of society.
It is perceived as better than what is currently established in society, based on social aims and means. This may involve something that is perceived as more fair, sustainable, or effective. Since what is considered better is influenced by values and perspectives, different stakeholders may make different assessments of what kind of change is desirable.
References: Lindberg 2021, Mulgan & Pulford 2010, Moulaert et al. 2013, Phills et al. 2008
Why is social innovation needed?
By fostering collaboration and co-creation across sectoral boundaries and thinking beyond traditional systems and silos, we can become more innovative and steer society toward a more inclusive and sustainable future. Complex problems such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda benefit from the contributions of many different actors in understanding and finding solutions to them—not least, the people directly affected by these challenges need to be involved and have their voices heard.
Examples of social innovations
Social innovations are nothing new. Everything from adult education to home care, transportation services for people with disabilities, preschools, public dental care, and public libraries are examples of social innovations that have evolved over the course of history and are now an integral part of society.
Some contemporary examples of social innovations include:
- The Leisure Bank lends out sports and outdoor equipment free of charge so that everyone across the country can enjoy an active lifestyle.
- Mentor Moms trains and employs experienced women as outreach health counselors for new mothers in South African shantytowns and Swedish suburbs.
- Repamera picks up, repairs, and alters clothing in Sweden and Denmark.
More examples can be found in Forum for Social Innovation Sweden book “100 Social Innovations.” We have also created a database of examples where you can find more practical examples of social innovations.
Social entrepreneurship
Social enterprise and social entrepreneurship are closely linked to social innovation. What they have in common is that they broaden the perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship—shifting the focus from technology and profit to include social benefit as well. Social enterprise refers to business activities that have a socially beneficial goal, such as creating jobs for people who are far removed from the labor market. Social entrepreneurship is about creating social value through new and innovative ways of working.