The Young Foundation has been involved in social innovation for over half a century. We define social innovations as new ideas (products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs (more effectively than alternatives) and create new social relationships or collaborations. In other words they are innovations that are both good for society and enhance society's capacity to act. Alongside our practical work we've also been helping to build the field:

• Research studies - covering everything from growth patterns to places and different sectors. See for example: In and out of sync, Transformers, and The Open Book of Social Innovation.
  
  
• Systematising methods - mapping what methods are used for finance, design, scaling, commissioning and lessons about what works
   
  
• Linking the best practitioners - through the SIX network and its progamme or events, telepresences and projects that connect thousands of individuals and organisations from all sectors around the world
  
  
• Developing new policy options - helping governments to support social innovation, how to design and funds (including work with the European Commission, UK and Australian government)
  
  
•  Training and skills - supporting practitioners in foundations and government departments to succeed better in turning useful ideas into results (including events in over thirty countries)
  
  
• Working to develop practical solutions with local partners, including through our Recovery Network and London Collaborative