We are Edelgive with SIX.
In summer 2025, SIX joined forces with EdelGive Foundation and became EdelGive with SIX. This groundbreaking partnership will show what it is possible when we combine different perspectives, experiences and organisational competencies.
Through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, innovation and inspiration, we drive the equitable social change we urgently need in the world today. We will connect dots, bridge silos and create impactful collaborations. Driven by our collective belief in the transformative power of people working together, EdelGive with SIX will create a more balanced and effective approach to global problem-solving.
EdelGive with SIX is also an innovation in itself – a new kind of organisation which brings together a philanthropy and an innovation network.
Changing perspectives
in a changing world
The world in 2025 is changing. We need to change our mindsets too. EdelGive with SIX has been created to challenge how we work globally, to work from and with new perspectives, and to confront traditional global assumptions.
What we are
doing together
EdelGive with SIX has 3 core approaches that drive all of our projects and collaborations:
Go to the edges
We intentionally look to new people and places for inspiration. We want people to come to our events and learn something new. This means breaking out of our bubbles, hosting events in places that are not obvious or well known, and getting people out of their comfort zone.
Reframing where knowledge comes from
We will build a new, more global social innovation narrative. We will intentionally look beyond Western perspectives, and develop truly global knowledge exchange which values ideas and resources which may have been overlooked.
Doing, not just talking
It is time for action, not just talk. We will address challenging and sometimes controversial topics and find ways to connect people and topics that usually work in silos. Our events will all be followed up with bold collaborative actions and fast learning.
Looking back
to look forward
What is required of us in the next 15 years will be different to that of last 15. So, as we start this new chapter, we consolidate some of our learnings into this booklet.
We’ve also taken this opportunity to invite contributions from a few of the many people and organisations around the world who have shaped our thinking and work, and that of the whole field.
We dared to imagine.
– Uffe Elbaek
What I’ve always really valued about SIX is the openness to ideas. It’s always been great for me to come to SIX events, talk about ideas which are sort of slightly half formed and receive feedback on them.
– Charlie Leadbeater
SIX invites us to engage with the “why.” SIX slows me down and removes me from my immediate context so that I can see the broader impacts and deeper implications of decisions.
– Kristin Wolff
We are demonstrating how social innovation ecosystems can thrive in an uncertain world.
– Carla Duprat
SIX is always trying to connect the head and the heart in terms of how we think about change.
– Geoff Mulgan
SIX network became a reference and a form of support for those of us in the municipality of Athens that grew interested in social innovation.
– Amalia Zepou
Social innovation is an old idea and a new and evolving practice.
– Martin Stewart-Weeks
SIX has expanded my world view and systemic thinking.
– Ada Wong
Social change and societal transformation are a multidimensional, complex and contingent process in which a large number of actors are co-creatively involved.
– Jürgen Howaldt
The recent history of South Korea shows that democratic innovation is never static.
– Sunkyung Han
We must ask ourselves serious question, the essence of which is not “know-how” but “know-why”.
– Kuba Wygnański
It’s a place I would call home, it’s like-minded people. It’s about practitioners. It has all that comfort.
– Giulio Quagiotto
Our recent
work
Transforming societies through people powered change
In September 2024, SIX and the University of the Free State hosted the first global gathering of global social innovation leaders in Bloemfontein, South Africa. We discussed what it takes to build the collective power of communities to create thriving, resilient, people-powered places. You can read our insights report here.
Social innovation’s role in the EU Missions
The Social Innovation Mission Facility is a Horizon Europe project which aims to unlock the potential of social innovations into mission-oriented policy and practice. The project will engage and mobilise funders, investors, social innovators and R&I policy makers. Learn more about the project and the consortium of European partners running the project here.
The world needs new institutions
In 2025, traditional, top down, silo-ed, Western centric approaches to problem solving will no longer work. This is why we think EdelGive with SIX is paving the way and providing inspiration for others to follow. Read more about our approach
What spreads is practice, not programmes
Chris Vanstone, Co-CEO of The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) shares how their understanding of how to do—and how to spread—social innovation has shifted significantly over the last 15 years. How can we help people learn social innovation, not just do it?
We are open to discussing new work and collaborations so if you want to develop a new initiative together, please get in touch. As always, SIX is an open invitation for new conversations and new ideas. We look forward to hearing from you.