Innowacje społeczne jako skuteczna odpowiedź na kryzys gospodarczy w Unii Europejskiej

Social innovation, the term that in recent years was popular among politicians and economists, brings with it a number of challenges of both theoretical and practical nature. In this article, the authors undertook the conceptualization of the term, and pointed to a number of political and practical effects of its implementation in the EU, describing a catalog of the most important legal acts and the related evolution of practical financial tools. This concept is known, variously interpreted, and used on the basis of the social sciences. Nowadays, it is becoming synonymous with the positively perceived innovation, which focuses on the micro- and macro-social effects. It is a response to a specific change in the economic paradigm and the embodi ment of the idea of social interaction. This is particularly evident in the EU, which, as an international political institution, contributed not only to the conceptualization of the term, but also to its active promotion. Social innovation is a formula clearly developing in EU legislation and having an increasing role when it comes to specific financial activities of its institutions. Social enterprises play a key role in the process of social innovation. The issue of social economy and social enterprises was given a completely new dynamics, creating a solid foundation of development opportunities in the perspective 2014-2020. Social innovations are intended to help in coping with social challenges and crisis facing the EU.