The TEPSIE consortium identified eight inter-related areas which subsequently became the work packages of the research programme. Overview of Work Packages WP1: Overview of the system of social Innovation; WP1 offers an overview of the field of social innovation, providing the theoretical underpinnings of the broader TEPSIE programme, a content and methodological framework as well as ensuring consistency of definitions and understandings across all work packages. WP2: Measuring social innovation. Effective metrics about the scale, scope and impact of social innovation at the macro-level are critical to guiding policy makers in developing and supporting the field. WP2 analysed available data to better understand the growth, impact and potential for social innovation in Europe. WP3: Removing barriers to social innovation. The development and growth of social innovation is impeded by factors such as limited access to finances, poorly developed networks and intermediaries and limited skills and support structures. WP3 provides a conceptual framework for analysing the major barriers to social innovation. According to this, three levels of challenges can be distinguished: environmental challenges (lack of finance, non-financial resources, networks, etc.); underlying challenges (difficulties of adopting an open innovation paradigm; measurement-related challenges) and actor-related challenges (lack of capacities and competencies). WP4: Generating capital flows. The relationship between social investment and social innovation has been under-researched and poorly understood. WP4 examined how the social economy is funded, the pros and cons of different forms of funding and how the strategy and organisational development of social innovators can be promoted in terms of funding. WP5: Engaging the public. Citizen engagement is widely recognised as a key component to many social innovations, especially within the public sector. Over the last decade there has been a proliferation of methods and approaches to citizen engagement. WP5 explored and mapped the methods, role and value of citizen engagement in the development of social innovations. WP6: Knowing what works. The evaluation of social innovation is a field of growing interest. Evaluations help to identify what works, what does not and why. They can make organisations that deal with social change more effective and contribute to good governance. WP6 reviewed how social innovation is being evaluated and synthesised, the best evaluation methods and practices for different types of social innovation initiatives. WP7: Growing what works. Spreading social innovation is particularly problematic for the social sector. In WP7 TEPSIE conducted a comprehensive literature review on the growth of social innovation, provided detailed case studies identifying the various factors which have helped and hindered their spread and growth, and looked at the policy supports for growing social innovations.
Cross-cutting findings and suggestions for further research
Overarching themes about social innovation included: i. Variance and sectoral differences; ii. Diffusion and growth; iii. From scaling to systems innovation; iv. Unpacking the concept of Social Innovation in the context of growth; and v A note of caution. Suggested areas for further research included: i. Types of Social Innovation; ii. Data and monitoring; iii. Civil society and the social economy as incubators; iv. Effective collaborations; v. Management of Social Innovation; vi Demand side of Social Innovation; vii. The role of the Public Sector in promoting Social Innovation; viii. Social and technological innovation; and ix. Social movements, power and politics. [Extracted from Executive Summary].
TEPSIE (2014) Social innovation theory and research : a guide for researchers. A deliverable of the project: “The theoretical, empirical and policy foundations for building social innovation in Europe” (TEPSIE), European Commission – 7th Framework Programme, Brussels: European Commission, DG Research
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