Reports and research

Digital Social Innovation in Northern Ireland

2 April 2014 | Authors: Sophie Hostick-Boakye,

There is huge potential for digital technology to be more widely used for the social good in Northern Ireland, and this report highlights ways in which voluntary and community groups, the private and public sectors and high-tech experts can make

A Reflection on Social Innovation in Colombia

5 February 2014 | Authors: Louise Pulford, Tricia Hackett,

In 2013, The Young Foundation and the Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) were commissioned by the national Colombian Centre for Social Innovation of ANSPE (National Agency to Overcome Extreme Poverty) to design and run a series of events on Social Innovation

Bridging the Divide: Social entrepreneurs and commissioners on public sector contracting

18 December 2013 | Authors: Anna Davies,

Successive UK governments have pursued an agenda of opening up public services to alternative providers from the private and third sectors, with the stated aim of diversifying provision in order to promote competition, efficiency and innovation. The current coalition government

Feeling the Squeeze: An insight into the impact of the cuts on some of the most vulnerable in Camden

10 December 2013 | Authors:

This report is the second part of a study to understand the impact of the national and local changes to benefits and services on some of the most vulnerable residents in Camden. In the first year in 2012, we found

Together We Can: Exploring asset-based approaches and complex needs service transformation

14 November 2013 | Authors: Catherine Russell,

Our health needs as a nation are changing. Improvements in healthcare mean we are now living longer than ever, yet these advances also bring new challenges. At the same time, we are living in a society which places greater value

Growing Social Ventures

4 November 2013 | Authors: Cynthia Shanmugalingam, Geoff Mulgan, Jack Graham, Simon Tucker,

Britain’s history is full of examples of forward-thinking co-ops, charities, mutuals as well as profitable businesses that have pioneered innovative ways to tackle social needs. From the rich activity of socially oriented businesses and charities in the 19th century, to

Metropolitan Social Entrepreneurs Business Booklet

24 October 2013 | Authors:

In March 2012 Metropolitan, The Young Foundation and OLMEC began working together to support migrant social entrepreneurs in London and Nottingham. We provided support to over 60 migrant social entrepreneurs and enterprises through two distinct programmes: First Steps in Social Enterprise and CLIMB (Community Level Investment

Keeping in Touch with our Roots: The case for housing associations to build closer links with social enterprises

21 October 2013 | Authors:

The history of housing associations is rooted in supporting the most vulnerable in society. As their reach has expanded, the challenge has been to stay connected to the communities they serve. Social enterprise and entrepreneurship offers a route for housing

How to Grow Social Innovation

1 September 2013 | Authors: Anna Davies,

How to grow social innovation: A review and critique of scaling and diffusion for understanding the growth of social innovation. Paper presented to the 5th International Social Innovation Research Conference, 2-4 September, 2013, Oxford.

Engaging Citizens in Social Innovation: A short guide to the research for policy makers and practitioners

1 September 2013 | Authors: Anna Davies,

Public and civic engagement activities are now widely seen as critical in building trust in public institutions, developing social capital and social cohesion in local communities, and lending great legitimacy to public decision making processes. In the context of social

Mapping Citizen Engagement in the Process of Social Innovation

1 September 2013 | Authors: Anna Davies, Will Norman,

Over the last decade there has been a proliferation of methods and approaches to citizen engagement. From idea banks and competitions to co-creation workshops and online petitions, governments, public services and businesses are increasingly keen to garner insights and information

Realising Ambition – Lessons on replication and evidenced based interventions

18 July 2013 | Authors:

Every year thousands of children and young people enter the criminal justice system for the first time. This has a major impact on their families and the communities to which they belong, but an even bigger impact on their own life chances. The Young