Social Innovation

Less than a decade ago the term was unknown. However, it currently is in the agenda of governments, young entrepreneurs, big businesses, investors and most renowned universities.

Innovation for Social Change. What can you do to Be the change you wish to see in the world?

What is social innovation ?

Social innovation is a concept that integrates various innovative solutions to address the most pressing problems that society faces, issues such as poverty, unemployment or the environment.

This blog brings together the latest knowledge and stakeholders´ social innovation practices and promote partnerships and collaborations between different agents to generate greater impact and better results.

You will find examples of 12 most used definitions, the social innovation process and its key phases, the most used and successful methodologies , examples and interviews.

The video below provides an explanation of what social innovation is.

In the video below I give a short explanation about how different actors can be involved in social innovation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r34arpC33_4&t=120s

WHAT CAN CITIZENS DO?

Innovación Social ciudadana


CITIZENS that are intended to provide solutions individually or collectively act some of these issues through the call Individual Social Responsibility.
The idea “be the change you want to see in the world” motivates many people of all generations, people who want to contribute and are active in various areas of their lives to bring about social improvements.

If you want some ideas, in this article you will find the top 10 ways people are changing the economy.

WHAT CAN COMPANIES DO?

Another important player are businesses, through Corporate Social Responsibility. In this area there are two types of agents:

  1. on the one hand, the social enterprises combining the best business practices to achieve two types of objectives: performance and social impact.
  2. the SMEs and large companies through their Social Corporate responsibility activities or through inclusive businessesseeking to include low-income people in their value change

The third area of ​​action from which you can create social impact is the Educational, through SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF UNIVERSITIES (RSU).

WHAT CAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS?

The University, like any other organization, must responsibly manage their activity and their relationship with various stakeholders: teachers, Researchers, administration and services, students, government and society in general. Here we will discuss the different polítcas, strategies and activities related to the concept of RSU.

WHAT CAN THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DO?

Finally it is important to mention the role of the SOCIAL INVESTMENT AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENTS (SRI).

SRI is an investment formula that, without sacrificing profitability, means savers direct their surplus to companies that positively contribute to a fair and balanced development.

Ethical investments using tools provided by the conventional financial system to channel resources towards initiatives and projects that combine economic and social criteria of profitability. Represent a major social commitment of the investor, as they allow channel savings into projects or enterprises that contribute to development in poor countries as well as to organizations or sectors excluded from the credit and finance in developed countries.

Ultimately, are alternative and complementary funding instruments for social action and development in some cases allow investors to strengthen their property rights as a shareholder.

In the presentation below (in Spanish) you can find more information about the role of each stakeholder in the Social innovation ecosystem.

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