SIMPACT investigates the economic foundation of social innovation in relation to markets, public sector and institutions with the intention of providing a dynamic framework for action at the level of individuals, organisations and networks.
According to SIMPACT’s understanding, social innovation refers to: novel combination of ideas and distinct forms of collaboration that transcend established institutional contexts with the effect of empowering and (re) engaging vulnerable groups either in the process of the innovation or as result of it.
A comparative analysis of 60 social innovations was conducted by SIMPACT to substantiate findings from their meta-analysis of social innovation across Europe (D3.1) by in-depth analysis of specific economic factors. In this context, Social Innovation Biographies (SIBs) and Business Case Studies (BCSs) are conceived as integrated research processes, adopting different but complementary desk and field research methodologies. BCSs advanced the understanding of the economic aspects of already-known and described cases, by means of deep qualitative desk research. SIBs deepened their understanding of innovation processes, developmental trajectories and stakeholder interactions.
Read their findings: Comparative Report on Social Innovation across Europe
