We are building a future where innovation is public, inclusive, and driven by shared values.
The Government Council for Social Innovation is a coalition of governments worldwide that has united with the primary goal of advancing social innovation on a global scale. Social innovation refers to the creation and implementation of new ideas, practices, or solutions that address societal challenges in ways that are more effective, sustainable, or just than current solutions.

This group recognizes that governments must play a central role in driving these innovations, especially when it comes to building a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The coalition is made up of government representatives who are directly involved in shaping national and international policies. These governments recognize the importance of social innovation in meeting complex global challenges like poverty, climate change, inequality, and social exclusion.
Why GCSI Exists
Responding to a New Era of Challenges
From rising inequality and ecological breakdown to democratic distrust and policy inertia — our world is changing fast. Traditional governance models alone can no longer address the complexity of these global issues. Social innovation provides new ways of thinking, designing, and delivering solutions that are more inclusive, equitable, and systemic.
Social innovation is not a niche experiment. It’s essential public infrastructure for the 21st century.
Cross section of participants at the GCSI summit 2025
Our Origin Story
The GCSI was officially launched at the Global Government Summit on Social Innovation, held in Luxembourg in April 2025. Over 60 countries endorsed the Luxembourg Declaration, committing to build legal, financial, and collaborative frameworks for social innovation. GCSI now operates as a multilateral body — coordinated by a Secretariat and guided by a three-year global strategy (2025–2028).
GCSI summit branding
Our Vision
The vision is a thriving people and planet economy, which places local communities at the center of decision-making that cuts across all sectors.
Our Mission
The working group aims to drive global momentum for social innovation by securing endorsements for sector creation and mobilizing stakeholders. This requires showcasing innovations internationally and nationally to ensure broad societal visibility.
What We Do
We work across 7 strategic domains to mainstream social innovation into governance:
Global, Regional, and National Policy Development
Position GCSI as a central facilitator in enabling governments at all levels to articulate their vision for social innovation and embed it in actionable, accountable frameworks
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Financing for Social Innovation
Unlock diverse financing mechanisms while ensuring that capital flows align with social justice and environmental stewardship.
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Knowledge and Practice Hub
Serve as a living, participatory platform that aggregates insights and democratizes who generates and benefits from them.
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Social Impact Measurement
Create meaningful, participatory, and policy-relevant frameworks for assessing impact at national and global levels.
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Communication and Awareness
Build a shared narrative that is clear, compelling, and inclusive, making social innovation visible, valued, and vibrant in the public sphere.
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Technology for Social Innovation
Ensure that technology serves public interest, not private consolidation, through inclusive design, ethical deployment, and global learning.
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Ecosystem Building
Strengthen the connective tissue of social innovation, creating environments where ideas can scale, partnerships can grow, and public value can flourish.
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Our Three-Year Action Plan
The action plan spans three years, with defined milestones for each strategic objective and key support functions. It is designed to deliver early wins, establish foundational infrastructure, support diverse country implementations, and enable continuous feedback through learning cycles and iteration.
Cross section of participants at the GCSI summit 2025
Our Governance Structure
GCSI’s governance is designed to balance strategic oversight, grassroots participation, and institutional credibility.
Steering Committee
Our highest decision-making body, with representatives from regions, working groups, and strategic observers.
Working Groups
Seven working groups aligned with each strategic objective — co-led by governments and thematic experts.
Secretariat
Hosted by One Family Foundation, the Secretariat ensures operational delivery, stakeholder coordination, and platform maintenance.
Cross section of Executives at the GCSI summit 2025
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