3 steps to drive social innovation in Europe: Start. Scale. Sustain.
The OECD report “Starting, Scaling and Sustaining Social Innovation: Evidence and Impact of the European Social Fund” highlights how social innovation is becoming a key driver of inclusive growth and societal change.
Changemakers across Europe are embracing social innovation to tackle pressing challenges, and the European Social Fund is playing a crucial role in supporting their efforts. With a budget of €142.7 billion for the 2021–2027 period, ESF+ requires each EU Member State to dedicate at least one priority to social innovation, offering up to 95% co-financing for socially innovative projects.
Social innovation isn’t just about new ideas, but about creating value for society through more inclusive and practical solutions. The “3S” Framework offers practical guidance for policymakers and local actors:
- Start social innovation experiments to address social challenges
- Scale successful social innovation
- Sustain social innovation impact over time
Now more than ever, building ecosystems for social innovation is essential to foster inclusive, resilient, and future-ready societies.
The full report is available here.