1. Why and how transform innovation policies to face
transition challenges ?
Innovation and
societal challenges
2. Introduction
Innovation processes have changed in the last decade : open innovation is now the rule ; innovation
has become more people-oriented, driven by an ecosystem, and innovation process are step by
step opening up to societal issues.
On the other hand, social and environmental challenges are addressed by specific actors, still
disconnected from powerful existing innovation networks.
Innovation support policies need to adapt to this context and embrace an ongoing change of
paradigm. This means answering a more complex (various dimensions to consider) and a more
collaborative environment (more skills and stakeholder involved).
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3. Training objectives
This training on “innovation and societal challenges” is dedicated to policy makers and business
support organizations to help them better understand the context and their possible role to face
the challenges.
After the training, you should be able to :
- understand the future trends in the innovation field, and the possible links with social
innovation
- identify the key stakeholders and their role in an innovative project connected to societal issues
- choose the first actions to implement in your sphere of influence
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4. 1. Innovation and
societal challenges :
towards a common path
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This training is divided into 3 sections :
6. Innovation and societal challenges :
toward a common path
Societal challenges are global and and cooperation of different stakeholders is vital to solve
them.
Social Innovation enables to address social and environmental challenges through innovation
by collaborating and acting with different stakeholders but often on a small scale with limited
financial means.
Innovation brings levers of growth for traditional companies in general. What about societal
enterprises and initiatives ?
At the same time, innovation evolves towards an ecosystemic approach.
Solutions need to be built by the co-involvement of differents stakeholders (public and private
organisations, entrepreneurs, experts, citizens, beneficiaries,...)
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7. extracted from “Innovation at every level : open innovation
ecosytems”, European Commission, 2017
Innovation evolution in the
last decade :
- ecosystemic
- cross-organizational
more collaborative
From closed innovation to open innovation
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8. Innovation evolution:a paradigm change
Dependency Independency Interdependecy
Subcontracting Cross-licensing Cross-fertilisation
Solo Cluster Ecosystem
Planning Validation, pilots Experimentation
Control Management Orchestration
Single entity Single discipline Interdisciplinary
Value chain Value network Value constellation
extracted from “Innovation at every level : open innovation
ecosytems”, European Commission, 2017
Recommended drivers for a
modern innovation policy:
- interconnectivity
- openness
- interaction
- ecosystemic approach
- crowdsourcing
Specifications
Innovation purposes change :
socially-driven innovation
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What is changing ? And How ?
These specifications are
required to address societal
challenges
9. Innovation + Societal challenges
= Social Innovation *
Where and how
does social
innovation
happen ?Everywhere
Public/Private sector
Different scales/ Local
level
* To go further on that topic, refer to ASIS
training 1 on social innovation definition
Results of joint efforts
creativity, collaboration, inclusion
shared vision : sustainable and
people-oriented future
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10. Different challenges for
“ the bees “ and “ the trees “
the “bees”
small
organizations,
groups, social
and solidarity
economy actors
the “trees” larger
organizations
government,
companies, large
NGOs
Cross-pollination :
create, spread, up-scale
social innovation
The « bees », especially
social enterprises can learn
from entrepreneurial and
innovation culture.
The « trees », public and
private organizations, can
better integrate social and
environmental challenges and
SI methods into their practices
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11. To go further: Sustainable Development Goals
Better integrate societal challenges
Societal challenges are :
- numerous
- multidimensional
- complex
- urgent
how should stakeholders
position themselves ?
United Nations call for
commitment of companies and
organizations to the
Sustainable Development
Goals
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12. Look at the needs of social enterprises
* extracted from “Map of Social enterprises and their
ecosystem in Europe”, European Commission, 2015
The potential of social enterprises in Europe is still underdeveloped *.
Let’s try to understand why ...
External factors
- Poor understanding of the concept of social
entreprise
- Lack of supportive policy and legislative framework
- Lack of specialist business development service and
support
- Difficulties in accessing to the market
- Difficulties in accessing finance from external sources
- Absence of common mechanisms for measuring and
demonstrating social impact
Internal factors
- Lack of viable business models (difficulty
and/or moral inconfort to conjugate
general and social interest and revenue)
- High reliance on public sector as a source
of revenue
- Lack of entrepreneurial spirit/commercial
acumen
- Lack of managerial and professional
skills/competencies necessary for scaling
up activity
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13. Origintrail - an example of state-of-the-art
technology serving responsible consumption
Origintrail is a slovenian start-up using blockchain
technology and its decentralized and collaborative
power to trace the origin of products.
Aims pursued : traceability for consumers and
increased visibility for producers on a local scale,
better food quality and transparency, reduced
environmental impact of food chain.
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Click here to watch the video !
15. Build alliances between stakeholders :
what for ?
● Deal with complexity : societal challenges are at the same time people-oriented,
local, territorial, global
● Face multidimensional challenges with multidisciplinary skills
● Create adapted and relevant solutions with the direct involvement of targeted
people
● Share knowledge
● Mutualise resources, join forces, reduce costs
● Develop a systemic approach of the project
● Act rapidly : make test, trial-error, learn, iterate, prototype
● Participate in a global change : start small and scale-up in order to maximize the
social/positive/environmental impact.
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16. Discover Social Innovation Ecosystems
People
Public, State
Organizations
Associations
NGOs
Foundations
Social
Enter-
-prises
Experts
Finance
Companies
Platforms
Incubators
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A complex network of differents actors :
click on one to see examples and role in
Social Innovation
17. Social Enterprises
entrepreneurs,
cooperatives, social and
solidarity-based economy
enterprises
WHO
● Model of shared governance
● Bring ideas, creativity
● People-oriented, needs-oriented
● Willing to create systemic changes
and sustainable improvement
● Committed to sustain and maximize
positive impact
Missions in Social innovation
Social
Enter- -
prises
Examples :
ImpactHub : Hub to gather social and citizen entrepreneurship with
infrastructures (Worldwide)
EU Mapping : Mapping study of social enterprises and their ecosystems, EMES,
International Research Network. (Europe)
+ ecosystem
back
to the
map
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18. People
People
Community
Ecosytem-centric
WHO
● User as innovator
● Citizen as innovator
● Customer as innovator
● Beneficiaries
● Investor
Role in Social innovation
People
back
to the
map
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Examples :
WiSEED : Crowdfunding platform to invest in social/environmental projects (Start-
up, cooperation, SME…) (France)
Start-up de territoire groups of citizens and local actors invent and
implement operational solutions to territorial needs (France)
19. Associations, NGOs, Foundations
Non-profit organisations :
associations, foundations
Non-governmental
organisations
WHO
● Non-profit oriented : based on
motivation
● Knowledge on a specific study area
● Links to community, a territory
people with specificities
● Ability to federate
● Skill-based sponsorship
● Financing
Role in Social innovation
Non
profit
sector
Example :
Ashoka : Non-profit organization based on charity, dedicated to form a
community of changemakers (Worldwide)
back
to the
map
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20. Public organizations
Public organizations
state organizations
business support
organizations
WHO
● Public and common services oriented
● Knowledge of a territory
● Link to citizen needs
● Ability to federate
● Ability to direct public policies
● Facilitate actions using network
● Support activities development
Role in Social innovation
Public, State
Organiza-
tions
Example :
Public, State Organizations
La27eme Region : A lab to transform public policies, test new
innovation methods for designing public policy involving all public
stakeholders (France)
back
to the
map
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21. Companies
small and medium
enterprises
big companies
WHO
● Incitator for the market and the
society : “nudge” effect
● Scaled for productivity, mass-effect
● Share facilities
● Skill-based sponsorship
● Knowledge of specific markets and
users
Role in Social innovation
Companies
Example :
Social Joint Venture (SJV) in favor of social integration (France) LIVA
back
to the
map
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22. Experts
R&D, academics,
universities
laboratories
advisory offices
WHO
● Knowledge in specific area : R&D,
technological, social and science
● Consulting : project, change, innovation
management, development
● Impact evaluation or measurement
Role in Social innovation
Experts
Example :
REC innovation : Network of entrepreneurs and experts in social innovation linked
to the territories (France)
back
to the
map
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23. Finance
Foundations, banks,
investments funds,
States, Public finance,
Europe funds, calls for
proposal, incubator
WHO
● Lever effect
● Take part of the risks
● Finance specific steps (beginning,
R&D, scale-up…)
● Long term partnership
● Crowdfunding
Role in Social innovation
Finance
Examples :
FA-SE : Network of invest funds for impact entreprises (Europe)
LITA : Impact Invest funds for impact entreprises (Europe)
back
to the
map
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24. Incubators
Business incubator,
activities catalysors,
WHO
● Support entrepreneurs in their
activities : feasibility, development…
● Accelerate business development
● Finance activities
Role in Social innovation
Incubators
Example :
INCO : Accelerating and financing for incubators and social start-ups (Worldwide)
back
to the
map
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25. Platforms
Territory platforms,
living-lab, open social
innovation lab, think-
tank
WHO ● Sharing knowledge
● Think of new solutions
● Connections between entities
● Create new methodologies
● Facilitate network
● Third place that favors meetings and
creating new projects
● Hybrid business models
● Shared governance model
Role in Social innovation
Platforms
Example :
Convergences : International platform/ think tank, for mobilisation, advocacy and promotion of SDG
(Zero Carbon, Zero exclusion, Zero poverty) on territories. Gathering over 500 organizations.
back
to the
map
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26. From the ecosystem to alliances
Now you know the different types of actors you may look for in your ecosystem to start building
new forms of alliances.
Some stakeholders already are active partners, you can create opportunities for them too while
opening up to new stakeholders and type of actors. The interconnectivity of your different
networks will be a powerful tool.
Learn from others, be inspired, apply mechanisms from other areas and communities and build
on your experience of innovation processes and risk management * !
* To go further on this topic, refer to ASIS
training 4 on risk management in SI
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27. Andyamo - example of an
innovant social business
Andyamo is an example of a social
business tightly working with its
ecosystem : public authorities,
companies and a community of
beneficiaries.
This french start-up launched in the
Alp region is part of the international
movement Tech for Good.
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Click here to watch the video !
29. Reinvent Innovation policies
How should policy makers and other societal stakeholders behave in the context of societal
challenges ? Which role and position should they get ?
The challenges faced by modern economies urgently call for new forms of collective action
between public, private stakeholders in order to :
- better support social impact project and the development of social enterprises
- better integrate social challenges into research and innovation policies
This new approach of innovation public policies is emerging, building traditional innovation
impact, experience, networks and opening up to other tools and methods coming from other
actors and fields of actions.
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30. How to get started ?
Learn
Cooperation : Take part in a Social Innovation project
Share Cooperate
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31. How to get started ?
Cooperation : Take part in a Social Innovation project
Inform
Understand societal challenges
Open up to existing projects and trends, watch needs
expressed by society, motivation of civil servants
Train
Train civil servants to innovative ways of working
Acquire knowledge on socially-driven innovation
Get tools allowing to follow innovative projects
Get inspired
Be inspired by other public or private projects, initiatives
extract good practices from model cases
What for ?
● Sensitize citizens and actors to
social issues
● Communicate on positive
impact projects
● Demonstrate social utility
● Acculturate to agile processes
● be ready to help/ support the
management of complex
project
● Apply, try, mechanisms from
others areas or communities
Learn
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32. How to get started ?
Share
Cooperation : Take part in a Social Innovation project
Connect Identify stakeholders, select stakeholders to work with
Favor links between people from different areas :
facilitate, inter-connect, network, third places...
Mutualise
Favor the circularity and mutualisation of resources,
methodologies, technologies, knowledge, skills
Melp the matching needs / skills
What for ?
● Expose the social utility of
projects
● Get people informed and
concerned
● Inspire people to engage
● Facilitate the addressing
● of multidisciplinary issues
● Favor cooperation between
actors
● Create links in the ecosystem
for social innovation
Communicate
Inform on societal challenges
Highlight successful social projects ⇒ nudge effect *
Promote some of them among differents actors
* See “Nudge” effect in resources
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33. How to get started ?
Cooperate
Cooperation : Take part in a Social Innovation project
Co-drive
Try, apply and adapt tools you have discovered
Collectively drive the project
Work together
Involve all relevant stakeholders (process of selection ?
governance ?)
Build partnerships : mid or long-term relationship
based on shared risk and reward
Governance plays a crucial role
in social projects
Cooperation and collective
intelligence generate value
creation and can be a source of
innovation
Social innovation is made for
and by the people concerned
What for ?
Federate
Involve actively elected representatives and civil
servants - Federate on a shared vision, shared issues
Build a common project with stakeholders
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34. Moving a step forward
Experiment
iterate before
up-scale
Be a changemaker : re-invent innovation policies
Open to all social
innovation specificities
Use new indicators
based on the social
impact desired
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35. Moving a step forward
Be a changemaker : re-invent innovation policies
Experiment
iterate before up-scale
● Adapt the way of working : collaborative-based mode
● Identify and involve stakeholders : inclusion of beneficiaries and people
● Share vision, values ⇒ share the decision making and management (which
governance?)
Adapt
Innovate
● Take advantages from innovation processes (plan - do - act rapidly , fail early,
learn fast)
● Apply mechanisms and systems from other areas
● Involve stakeholders from creativity to implementation of an idea
⇒ create new with your ecosystem
Begin with prototyping : test, experiment, trial-error tolerance, iterate
up-scale after having demonstrated sustainabilityPrototype
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36. Moving a step forward
Be a changemaker : re-invent innovation policies
Re-define the values of a social project : what for? for who ?
Value description : which criteria ?
Who are the people involved and to be involved ?
How to demonstrate the
sustainability ?
Define new indicators
To demonstrate utility : define new indicators based on the impact desired
Help to develop tools for measuring impact
Use common mechanisms and indicators with others stakeholders in
order to compare projects and harmonize policies
Harmonize
Use new indicators based on
the social impact desired
To go further on that topic, refer to ASIS guidelines
n°1 on indicators and social impact evaluation
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37. Moving a step forward
Be a changemaker : re-invent innovation policies
Open to all social
innovation specificities
To go further on that topic, refer to ASIS training n°5 on public policies and SI
Promote
- The cooperation between actors (communicate, create events,...)
- The mutualisation of places, resources, methodologies, technologies from your
ecosystem that can be source of innovation
Support
Adapt the way of supporting with mechanisms adapted to socially-driven innovation
- management project with different actors : governance
- detection of project with societal value : with a common grid of characterization
- follow-up with indicators based on impact
Facilitate
Facilitate the implementation of the projects at differents steps :
- prototyping test that need public territories, areas
- connect people with your network (ecosystem) for feasibility, development
- help the up-scaling in taking active participation
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38. Conclusion
Innovation is one of the solutions to meet the extremely demanding social and environmental
challenges our alpine space region is facing.
This is already happening in projects with new forms of partnerships and alliances, new ways
of collaborating.
Actors from innovation field, social entrepreneurs and public actors all have the keys to
become change makers and they need one another to make a sustainable difference.
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39. Resources
Centre of resources :
● European resource OECD: Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities
● Portail AVISE (French and English) : Publications
● Forum on Social Innovation (OECD): Proceedings
Tools:
● Tools to improve your social and inclusive entrepreneurship Policy The Better entrepreneurship Policy Tool
(OECD and European commission)
Example of experimentations:
● Nudge effect (Europe): TEN
● Methodologic Pack to create a Social Joint Venture: JVS (french)
● Public innovation (France): la 27eme région
● Interreg project: OSIRIS
Example of ecosystem (France):
Map of an exhaustive map of a social innovation ecosystem Techforgood
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40. 40
Thank you for joining us on this training.
Now take the quiz and test your knowledge !
See you soon on the ASIS platform https://socialinnovationstrategy.eu/
Authors : Camille Marie – Héloïse Boyer
