The Open Book of Social Innovation

The Open Book of Social Innovation examines the growing role of social innovation at a time when traditional policies and institutions have struggled to address complex social, economic, and environmental issues. The book highlights how social innovation has moved to the centre of public and collective action over the past decade, driven by the need for new, more effective solutions.

The book emphasizes that social innovation is distinct from other forms of innovation. Because it pursues social outcomes and involves a wide range of actors - from public authorities and private companies to civil society organizations and households - it requires specific processes, models, metrics, and methods. The authors argue that these methods should be treated as a shared resource, evolving through collective learning, experimentation, and the open exchange of experience.

Drawing on contributions from hundreds of organizations worldwide, the book maps the tools and approaches used to design, develop, and scale social innovation across sectors such as the social economy, social entrepreneurship, and social enterprise. As part of the Social Innovator series, the Open Book of Social Innovation stands as a foundational resource for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to better understand and strengthen social innovation ecosystems.