Social innovation refers to the design and implementation of new solutions that imply conceptual, process, product, or organisational change, which ultimately aim to improve the welfare and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Many initiatives undertaken by the social economy and by the civil society have proven to be innovative in dealing with socio-economic and environmental problems, while contributing to economic development. To fully tap the potential of social innovation, an enabling policy framework is needed to support public, non-profit and private actors to co-construct and implement socially innovative solutions and thereby contribute to address socio-economic issues, build stronger territorial resilience and better respond to future shocks.
In 2000, the OECD LEED Forum on Social Innovations was created in Washington DC together with eleven organisations from six countries (France, Italy, Spain, Canada, USA, Mexico). The Forum notably adapted a working definition of social innovation and presented a first set of socially innovative initiatives. Since its launch in 2000 a number of activities have been organised in various OECD member and non-member countries under the framework of the Forum on Social Innovations. To learn more, click here.The activities of the Forum on Social Innovations have recently converged into the OECD Local Development Forum.
* This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union.
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