(08 July 2016) – After 5 years of building a community of social innovation practitioners and thinkers across Europe, the Social Innovation Europe (SIE) project is coming to an end and will be followed by an even better project at the end of July, Social Innovation community (SIC).
The SIE project started in 2011 and was the first pilot action from the European Commission that focused on social innovation. Initiated by DG GROW, its aim was to build social innovation across Europe by creating a common space for policymakers, social enterprises, universities, engaged citizens and businesses to share their work and exchange best practices.
Over the last 5 years, we hosted gatherings across Europe from Poland to Sicily, on many subjects. Our reports covered a wide variety of topics. We have conducted more than 100 interviews with European innovators from communities to governments at all levels. All of this has been documented on the SIE website and social media; where more than 5000 people have regularly engaged with us.
At the end of July 2016, SIE will cease to exist as such, having paved the way for a new and wider Horizon 2020 Programme funded project launched last February – Social Innovation Community (SIC).
SIC will continue to build on the legacy of SIE and grow the extended network of social innovation practitioners, thinkers and beneficiaries. Existing SIE content will be available on the new and much improved SIC website, where there will be lots of ways to get involved in the activities and community of SIC.