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There is no single accepted definition of social innovation in the UK. The one opted for in the Open Book of Social Innovation is as follows – ‘new ideas (products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs and create new social relationships or collaborations.’ This emphasises innovation, which leaves behind a stronger capacity for society to act.

The UK has an estimated £24 billion social enterprise industry and has come to be regarded as a global leader in this field. In the last 15 years, more than £350 million of public money has been used to fund social entrepreneurship, charity capacity building and social ventures.  Academic institutions are also taking a more active interest in social innovation whilst think tanks continue to help bridge the gap between the research community and policy makers. 

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Highlights

01 Renewal Britannia Launch Event
02 New Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
03 Celebrating innovation in Northern Ireland with Amplify NI
New Institute for Innovation and Public PurposeNew Institute for Innovation and Public PurposeTackling the grand challenges of the 21st century requires the public, private and third sectors t…23 Jun 2017Article
Renewal Britannia Launch Event Renewal Britannia Launch Event To mark the 20th anniversary of the ‘Cool Britannia’ era, and in the context of the decision t…17 Jul 2017 16:45Event
Celebrating innovation in Northern Ireland with Amplify NICelebrating innovation in Northern Ireland with Amplify NIAt Amplify NI we go on a journey with people to take action together, creating fairer communities…8 May 2017 17:00Event
Share to Know: Learning processes are at their best when they are socialShare to Know: Learning processes are at their best when they are social‘What was the most recent thing you learned?’ This was one of the questions that opened our…03 May 2017Article

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Renewal Britannia Launch Event Renewal Britannia Launch Event To mark the 20th anniversary of the ‘Cool Britannia’ era, and in the context of the decision to leave the European Union, Demos has joined with the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural…17 Jul 2017 16:45Event
Celebrating innovation in Northern Ireland with Amplify NICelebrating innovation in Northern Ireland with Amplify NIAt Amplify NI we go on a journey with people to take action together, creating fairer communities where everyone can thrive. CONNECT, CREATE & CELEBRATE SOCIAL INNOVATION IN NI Join us for a day of celebrat…8 May 2017 17:00Event
Share to Know: Learning processes are at their best when they are socialShare to Know: Learning processes are at their best when they are social‘What was the most recent thing you learned?’ This was one of the questions that opened our Share to Know learning event last week, where practitioners of peer-to-peer and collaborative learning methods came toge…03 May 2017Article
Share to Know: Furthering peer-to-peer and collaborative learning methodsShare to Know: Furthering peer-to-peer and collaborative learning methodsShare to Know is a European exchange project that aims to further the use of peer-to-peer learning methodologies by educational institutions and other organisations/individuals working with young people. The exchange to…03 May 2017Article