Social innovations: definitions, forms, models

Zum Vortrag:

In recent years, social innovations have become increasingly important for both academic research and policy. The interest paid to the development of social innovations by different actors (policy makers, academicians, local communities, or even civil society at large) is not accidental. Acting as change agents for well-being of society, social entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. Thus, social innovations could be a vehicle creating social change related to a better quality of life and creating mechanisms how to cope with different sets of social problems. The core ideas of social entrepreneurship could be implemented in different sectors of society. Being a great inspiration for different NGOs, social enterprises, social movements, social innovation promote new ways of solving social problems, embody bottom-up approach and enhance welfare. Thus, more and more often social innovations are being incorporated into university studies curriculum.

Zur Vortragenden:

Egle Butkeviciene is full professor and Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Kaunas University of Technology. She teaches and conducts research on civic participation, social innovations, community development and social inclusion, environmental activism, public policy, and social media. She has been participating in a number of national and international projects: "Democracy in Knowledge Society"; "ICT and Public Access: Investigating the social and economic impact of public access to information and communication technologies", "Social partnerships and local social innovations in rural restructuring", "Citizen Science to promote creativity, scientific literacy, and innovation throughout Europe"; she also coordinates the implementation of the International Social Survey Programme and European Social Survey in Lithuania. Together with Thomas Bryer, she is responsible for editing the book series "Democratic Dilemmas and Policy Responsiveness".