A new report shows how social innovation ecosystems differ across Europe and what initiatives are in place to integrate them.
The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) published a report on dispersion of social innovation initiatives and frameworks in selected European Union (EU) member countries (France, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Spain and Sweden). Firstly, the report provides an initial reference point and overview for social innovators and change makers by highlighting the different approaches to social innovation observed in the countries included in the analysis. Secondly, the report reveals areas of research that have received little attention so far. Thirdly, targeting policy-makers, the report addresses European trends and developments in the field and introduces examples from social innovators across Europe.
According to the report, finding an all-encompassing common definition for social innovation is difficult. There is a great diversity of approaches across Europe when it comes to social innovation frameworks and practices. The European Commission (EC) offers this definition of social innovation: “Social innovations are new ideas that meet social needs, create social relationships and form new collaborations. These innovations can be products, services or models addressing unmet needs more effectively”. According to the EC, social innovations are innovations that are social in both their ends and their means. They are not only good for society but also enhance individuals’ capacity to act. The European Commission’s main objectives comprise: the promotion of social innovation as a source of growth and job creation; sharing information about social innovation in Europe; and supporting innovative entrepreneurs and mobilising investors and public organisations.
To promote social innovation, there is an institutional framework in place, which comprises the Innovation Union Initiative and the Social Investment Package. Meanwhile, research is fostered through Horizon Europe (and formerly Horizon 2020). The European Social Fund (ESF) and the Employment and Social Innovation Programme (EaSI) grant most of the funding directed at social innovation projects. Additionally, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Entrepreneurship and small and medium sized enterprises runs the EUSIC across all EU and Horizon Europe associated countries, with the support of the European Innovation Council (EIC). Each year, the EUSIC awards three prizes for the best socially innovative projects designed to change society for the better. The winners are determined by a jury panel composed of experts in social innovation, skills development, digital and green transitions and other fields related to the competition’s current topics and by the EC. Each year, EUSIC challenges innovators to submit projects related to one specific social challenge, for instance how the fashion industry can become more sustainable, how plastic waste can be reduced or how to create “skills for tomorrow” (see SwissCore article).
The European social innovation approach has developed significantly over the last decade, with initiatives such as the Social Business Initiative (SBI) and the Start-Up and Scale-Up Initiative shaping the social innovation and social entrepreneurship ecosystem. Currently, the EC sees its role in providing guidance on how to use social policy innovation when implementing country specific recommendations and in demonstrating how to use European structural and investment funds. Social innovation is not only encouraged in entrepreneurship but also on a policy level through social policy experimentation. Social policy experimentation can help policy-makers to test the potential and validity of new innovative policy interventions on a small scale in order to understand their efficacy before scaling.
Despite the endeavours to create a pan-European environment for social innovation, national characteristics of the innovation ecosystems differ greatly. Not only do countries diverge in terms of their innovative capacity (see European Innovation Scoreboard), but also in their understanding and underpinning of the concept’s development. The EUSIC report introduces the current state of social innovation ecosystems, the existing network strengths and developments as well as how visible and recognised social innovation is within the country. It gives an overview of the services within the national innovation ecosystem for social entrepreneurs and the access to resources and markets. Furthermore, the report shows different research, education and skills development opportunities for social innovators.
To conclude, there is an overarching consensus on the need for social innovation in Europe. However, the understanding of the concept differs substantially, depending on regional support structures. Ultimately, the diversity across European social ecosystems is an opportunity rather than a challenge. When examining the European social innovation ecosystems, one can explore how national and supranational policies and support structures can complement each other in a meaningful way.