The “Atlas of Social Innovation” offers a comprehensive overview of the world of Social Innovation. It features the results of the EU-funded SI-DRIVE project, as well as the perspectives of leading experts. It gives insights into the various types of social innovations in different world regions and policy areas, delivering new intelligence on the diversity of approaches used by different actors involved.

During the course of SI-DRIVE, 25 international partners of the project have mapped over 1.000 cases of social innovation all over the world and selected over 80 cases for an in-depth case study analysis.. This global mapping is complemented by a treasure of insights from leading international experts, reviewing new trends in Social Innovation and examining the possible role of Social Innovation in the next generation of public policies. By taking stock of social innovation achievements the Atlas of Social Innovation contributes to a better understanding how Social Innovation may contribute to advance inclusive and wealth-creating public policies. It helps to identify potential future opportunities not only in terms of societal well-being, but also of growth, jobs, and business development for Europe.
The first part Social Innovation Landscape – Global Trends reveals the importance of Social Innovation addressing social, economic, political and environmental challenges of the 21st century on a global scale. It demonstrates the need for Social Innovation to overcome the great societal challenges and social demands and presents a broad range of important topics that are essential for a better understanding of the key elements and the potential of Social Innovation. The articles explore new avenues and concepts of innovation, make use of new tools (e.g. design thinking) and form alliances with other streams of research and practice (e.g. sustainable development).
The second part Social Innovation in World Regions provides an overview of various types of Social Innovation in different local or regional settings. Looking at the different world regions Social Innovation has various meanings, can take different forms and engage a diversity of actors.
The third part Social Innovation in Policy Fields uncovers that Social Innovation is omnipresent in the policy areas of education, employment, environment and climate change, energy supply, transport and mobility, health and social care, and poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Finally, the part on Future Challenges and Infrastructures demonstrates that social innovation processes and the underlying resources, capabilities and constraints are also very much related to the actors of the different sectors of the social innovation ecosystem (policy, economy, science and civil society). This includes a new role of public policy and government for creating suitable framework and support structures, the integration of resources of the economy and civil society as well as supporting measures by science and universities (e.g. education for social innovation performance, know-how transfer).
Download your copy of this interesting document here.