Social Innovation in Theory and Practice: European Policies, Strategies and Experiences

Despite the substantial knowledge accumulated over the last years about social innovation, this concept is still under construction. If, on the one hand, reflections and discussions enable maturity on the subject, on the other hand, it is also its practice that may allow a deeper consolidation. In order to solve social challenges and to achieve an effective transformation of the society, social innovation has varied strategies, according to specific problems and social, economic, political, historical and cultural contexts. Therefore, there are no generic best-practice models, as social innovation cannot be replicated, but transversal aspects may be taken into consideration, respecting the territory and the community involved, to design and implement concrete actions for change. Recognising the relevance of social innovation, this chapter addresses the topic from theoretical and practical perspectives, presenting several characteristics that frame the debate, as well as examples of social innovation strategies, incentives and supports in the European Union and its member-states. Emphasis is given to Portugal Social Innovation, which is a recent and exploratory initiative to induce social innovation using the European structural and investment funds, as well as the Fourth sector, which is referred to from the social innovation discussion and European context perspectives.