The Social Innovators Network (SIN) is a 100% online program designed to support community-driven initiatives. It was created in March 2020 during the quarantine and isolation measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Since its inception, SIN has supported community initiatives that offer practical solutions with a direct impact on local communities and policies, aiming to respond to various crises.
SIN was born out of the COVID-19 crisis, which highlighted deep vulnerabilities and inequalities within and between nations and communities. The program emerged as a response to these challenges, using an innovative digital platform to provide an entirely online space for collaboration and community empowerment.
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed sudden, drastic changes to daily life and exposed numerous societal weaknesses, particularly in the Global South. The challenge was to find innovative, practical solutions to address these vulnerabilities, all while working within the constraints of quarantine and social distancing measures. Additionally, there was a need for programs that could engage people remotely and offer meaningful, lasting impacts on communities in crisis.
The Social Innovators Network addressed these challenges by creating the first fully online program for community-based innovation. The program uses digital platforms to connect and engage participants across the world, offering co-design workshops, online acceleration days, intensive training, and digital fairs. Through a multi-actor approach, SIN fosters collaboration between social innovators, experts, mentors, and community leaders.
Key features of the program include:
- Co-design and Multi-Actor Approach: Engaging the final users (communities) in the design and promotion process.
- Collective Intelligence: Leveraging collaboration and collective efforts to generate innovative solutions.
- Digital Platform: A dedicated online space to facilitate interaction, learning, and collaboration.
Each cycle of SIN lasts between 3 and 5 months and includes:
- Selection and meetings with social innovators.
- Intensive online training.
- Online acceleration days.
- Digital fair to showcase results and foster networking.
SIN’s impact can be measured through the following key figures:
- 8 online acceleration sessions.
- 150 applications received from social innovators.
- 24 training sessions delivered to entrepreneurs.
- 28 entrepreneurs directly supported through the program.
- 50 experts and mentors involved in guiding and advising participants.
- Over 200 participants attended the Digital Fair, where the outcomes of the program were showcased.
The Social Innovators Network has successfully empowered social innovators, particularly in the Global South, by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to lead positive change. Its unique, digital-first approach has proven to be a sustainable model for fostering innovation, even during times of crisis.
