Perspective # 27 – Social Innovations:

Social Innovations: To start with let us define 'Social Innovation'. It is easy to get entangled in a debate over meaning and nuance of Social Innovation, as there are many definitions! As per Wikipedia Social innovation refers to new strategies, concepts, ideas and organizations that meet social needs of all kinds - from working conditions and education to community development and health - and that extend and strengthen civil society. As per the Centre for Social Innovation it refers to new ideas that resolve existing social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges for the benefit of people and planet. A true social innovation is systems changing – it permanently alters the perceptions, behaviors and structures that previously gave rise to these challenges. Many business schools like Center for Social Innovation of Stanford Graduate School of Business and INSEAD teach Social Innovation. As per INSEAD Social Innovation Centre Social innovation is the introduction of new business models and market-based mechanisms that deliver sustainable economic, environmental and social prosperity.

There are many global examples - "Mr. Condom", Mechai Viravaidya the activist in Thailand who has popularized condoms in that country. Restaurant Lentil as Anything where the customer decides what they want to donate for the food they've eaten, they decide what it's worth and give as they feel… The fashion store Clothing exchange where the currency is clothes where they replace shopping with the joys of swapping! ! Many many interesting examples.

'Hrudaya Post' offered jointly by the Postal Department and Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital is a great example back home - Under the scheme, first of its kind in the history of health care, heart patients in small towns and villages can go to any of the Post office and send their entire medical reports by scanning and uploading to Narayana Hrudayalaya. Checkout Ecomove cycle transportation catering to the crying need for people to adopt a travel solution that is ecological and economical.

Another amazing example is the LifeDream™ lifeskills training program. LifeDream™ addresses the needs of youth (18-25 years) who are constrained by low-income levels, inadequate skills, irregular employment, absence of opportunities for training and development, family indebtedness and little bargaining power at the economic or social level. They expect students to be successfully placed after the 3 month training and in return (Gurudakshina) they will work on environment and sustainability of their society. This novel experiment thus kills two birds with one stone. The pilot project is done at a Bangalore slum where all students got jobs plus there is a visible improvement in the environment.