There is a growing recognition that new and innovative approaches are required to meet the social, economic and environmental difficulties we are facing. The field of social innovation is developing rapidly. Across the world, millions of people are creating new and better ways of tackling social challenges.
In this report we look at social innovation in Northern Ireland. We argue that while there are significant examples of social innovation developing in different parts of the country, there is a lack of widespread understanding of the concept and of what it can achieve. At present we believe that Northern Ireland lacks the infrastructure to grow and develop social innovation. We conclude by detailing an approach that we believe will support social innovators across the country and mobilise stakeholders across different sectors to achieve the widespread and radical change that is required to meet the complex challenges communities will face in the future.
This research was commissioned by The Building Change Trust and The Young Foundation partnered with RSM McClure Watters to produce this report.
Posted on: 12 April 2013 Authors: Catherine Russell, Declan Mackin, Karen Clarke, Will Norman,