Social Innovation

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.

What is social innovation?

We define social innovation as pursuing novel approaches to tackle challenges facing people and planet.*

Social innovation is a broad and evolving concept encompassing diverse approaches to tackling challenges facing people and planet, collectively referred to as societal challenges. Its meaning and application vary widely, depending on the nature of the societal challenge(s), the actors involved, and the innovation pathway(s) pursued.

Four key aspects of our definition of social innovation merit attention:

Social innovation is directed at tackling challenges facing people and planet.
Social innovation includes both the processes and outcomes involved in tackling these challenges.
Novelty depends on the context. If an approach to tackling challenges facing people and planet is novel in the context in which it is adopted, it is social innovation.
Tackling challenges facing people and planet can involve incremental or transformational changes. Both count as social innovation.

*This definition was first proposed in a working paper prepared by University of Oxford for the Government Council for Social Innovation and then adopted in the Luxembourg Declaration in April 2025.

Social innovation in practice

Canada: Social Finance Fund

The Social Finance Fund (SFF) is a landmark $755 million, long-term federal initiative launched in spring 2023 under the Government of Canada’s Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy. It aims to accelerate the social finance market by expanding access to affordable capital for charities, non-profits, social enterprises, cooperatives, and other social purpose organizations (SPOs) across the country.

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South Africa: Mothers to Mothers Mentor Model

The South African government partnered with Mothers2Mothers, a social innovation that trains and employs HIV-positive women—known as “Mentor Mothers”—to work alongside doctors and nurses in health facilities. They provide education, support, and follow-up care to other women and families affected by HIV. By integrating this peer-based model into the public health system, South Africa has significantly improved the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and strengthened maternal and child health outcomes.

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Finland: Housing First

Finland adopted the Housing First model nationwide to address homelessness. Instead of requiring people to resolve issues like unemployment or addiction before getting housing, it provides permanent housing first, along with tailored support services. This approach has drastically reduced long-term homelessness and is now seen as a global best practice.

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