Mapping social innovation

by Perrie Ballantyne

Young Foundation has just launched a new web-resource for social innovators, socialinnovator.info. The website is the result of a two year project to map the methods being used around the world, across all sectors and fields, to design, develop and grow social innovation. 

This material is intended to support all those involved in developing practical solutions to social challenges;  policy‐makers who can help to create the right conditions; foundations and philanthropists who can fund and support; social organisations trying to meet needs more effectively; and entrepreneurs and innovators themselves.

You’ll find the work of  Innovation Unit represented in the resource’s social innovation taxonomy. We’re depicted as an ‘arm’s lenth or spin off innovation unit’ reflecting our development out of the government’s education department. Innovation Exchange is also featured as a ‘dedicated intermediary’ and there’s a brief case study describing our work on the Next Practice programme and Festivals of Ideas.

This is helpful map of international activity in an emerging field. There is a lot we could add to it – starting with Innovation Unit’s new model for supporting Radical Efficiency and our work with local authorities towards the development of innovation labs.