Social innovation
Social innovation refers to the 'design and implementation of new solutions that imply conceptual, process, product, or organisational change, which ultimately aim to improve the welfare and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Many initiatives undertaken by the social economy and by the civil society have proven to be innovative in dealing with socio-economic and environmental problems, while contributing to economic development."
"To fully tap the potential of social innovation, an enabling policy framework is needed to support public, non-profit and private actors to co-construct and implement socially innovative solutions and thereby contribute to address socio-economic issues, build stronger territorial resilience and better respond to future shocks."
From the OECD Better; policies for better lives, forum on Social Innovations https://www.oecd.org/regional/leed/social-innovation.htm
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- All-Party Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group.
- Architecture and the need for innovation.
- A social, circular economy.
- Construction innovation.
- Barriers to innovation and Construction 2025.
- Construction Innovation Hub.
- Creative.
- Government plans to put UK at front of global innovation race.
- Innovation in construction projects.
- Innovation – the key differentiator.
- Innovation - the key to success.
- Innovative goods.
- Is Disruptive Innovation possible in the Construction Industry?
- Low Impact Building Innovation Platform.
- Open Innovation programme.
- Rethinking Construction Innovation and Research: A Review of Government Policies and Practices.
- Social Value Act
- Unprecedented Innovation and New Technologies on the Horizon.
Featured articles and news
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.




















