(16 October 2018) – EU policymakers are negotiating Europe’s next budget. Social Innovation Community (SIC) invites you to sign the #SIDeclaration to tell them that Europe needs innovation to benefit everyone.
Over the past year, SIC has asked people working in social innovation all over Europe about how EU policy could enable them achieve an even bigger impact. They heard from more than 350 people from 19 member states.
They told SIC they wanted a Europe where civil society, non-state actors and local communities are empowered to define and address challenges that matter to them, such as climate change.
They shared a vision for research and innovation which gives greater recognition to the contribution of civil society and the wider public. And they spoke about the need for mainstream innovators (like technologists, firms and research organisations) to rethink their role in driving direct societal benefits.
Finally, they described challenges that can stop social innovation achieving its potential: problems with public procurement, rigid funding structures that don’t allow experimentation, a lack of skills and incentives for public officials to support social innovation.
The Social Innovation Declaration sets out the core values that SIC wants European policymakers to follow as they negotiate the new EU budget and programming. This Declaration is a statement of intent from the community to ensure that social innovation is given the political visibility and support it deserves. SIC needs your help to show European decision-makers that we are a powerful and determined force for change in Europe.
Sign the #SIDeclaration here and make history with us! #Spreadit4Europe
Join SIC on 12 and 13 November 2018 in Seville for a chance to discuss the Declaration and how to implement it at the Social Innovation Community project’s final event.