Social innovation study funding for Hunter Centre

Dominic Chalmers (Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship) has been awarded a £5000 Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher to produce a feasibility study examining possible operational models for a Scottish Centre for Social Innovation. Working with partners in the Third Sector including CEiS (Community Enterprise in Strathclyde) and Social Value Lab, the study will explore existing centres currently operating across the world, and will examine how such a centre can be formed to tackle the most pressing issues facing Scotland.

The SFC Innovation Voucher scheme is aimed at building relationships between SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) and HEIs (Higher Education Institutes) in Scotland. Proposed collaborative project should lead to new products, services and processes that will benefit the business, the institution and the Scottish economy.

The initiative, already underway, will tap into the wealth of academic knowledge, resources and networks available to the University of Strathclyde.

Jonathan Coburn (Director of the Social Value Lab) commented, "For me it's about creating the time and space for social innovation to flourish. It's about bringing people together from different disciplines to come up with creative solutions to shared problems – academic researchers, service designers, social entrepreneurs, public service leaders, technologists, and investors."

Discussing the importance of the collaboration, Dominic Chalmers said, "The Hunter Centre has a long-standing interest in supporting social entrepreneurship and innovation. We view this as a highly significant opportunity to focus all of the University's resources and disciplines towards a defined set of social challenges. This will be truly applied and collaborative research delivered in partnership with public and third sector partners."

The ambition is for the Scottish Centre to connect into a global network of social innovation centres that now operate in most developed nations, everywhere from Austria to Australia.

Commenting on the international significance of the venture, Gerry Higgins (Chief Executive of third sector support body CEiS and Chair of the Social Enterprise World Forum) said, "There is huge untapped reserve of knowledge and learning within the social enterprise community across the world. When it comes to fruition this venture will help to systematically source and share new thinking from around the world. It will also help to reinforce Scotland's international reputation as being at the forefront of social innovation."

If you would like to contribute to the feasibility study or would like to find out more information, please email Dominic (dominic.chalmers@strath.ac.uk).