Local Social Innovation

'Transformers: how local areas innovate to address changing social needs'

The ability of local areas to innovate is unevenly spread. This report investigates why some places innovate more effectively to meet social needs than others. It is based on a series of case studies – in the UK and internationally – which explore how cities and localities have thrived, or reversed their decline, by finding new ways of tackling problems.

The case studies in this report looked in detail at very diverse places. The report finds conclusive evidence that innovative capacity can be nurtured, even in unpromising circumstances.   The report also draws from some common lessons about the importance of facing up to problems and underperformance; the role of leadership and organisational cultures; and, crucially, the structure of networks within the public sector and across organisational boundaries.

This report was launched on the 22nd January with a keynote address from Andy Burnham MP, Chief Secretary to the HM Treasury. It also included a presentation by Geoff Mulgan, Director of the Young Foundation and a discussion with panellists including Irene Lucas, Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council and Steve Sipple, Head of Youth & Community Services at Tower Hamlets Council and Richard Halkett, Head of Policy and Research at NESTA. Click here for further details of the launch event. For videos of this launch please follow this link

In an article in The Times, 22 January 2008, Geoff Mulgan comments on the significance of this report - "If YOU don’t have to innovate in the public sector, you usually don’t...It’s striking how much the will to change is important and in the UK context that often comes from external pressure,” says Mulgan.

Please click here to download a copy of the interim report, 'Making the most of local innovations'.

Please click on the title to download a copy of the main body of the final report 'Transformers. How local areas innovate to address changing social needs'.

For more information contact Nicola Bacon at nicola.bacon(AT)youngfoundation.org or Nusrat Faizullah at nusrat.faizullah(AT)youngfoundation.org

See also:

Public Servant Daily 23 January 2008

New Start 25 January 2008

Experientia 29 January 2008

Thames Valley website 1 February 2008  

Gouda Netherlands news 31 January 2008

Local Government Chronicle 21 February 2008