With the multi-stakeholder initiative #mitSinn – which was launched by Ashoka, the Social Entrepreneurship Network Austria (SENA) and schafft. – 250 actors have developed a vision to promote social innovation. At a launch event, 10 key proposals to make this transformation a success were presented to the public.
In order to master the profound social and ecological challenges, a wide range of advances are needed at the technological and social level. Social innovations in particular are of great importance, as only they can bring about long-term, sustainable transformations. This is precisely where the multi-stakeholder initiative #mitSinn comes in. Through a participatory process, over 250 actors developed more than 80 bold recommendations to improve the framework conditions for social innovation and social enterprises. The 10 central proposals have now been presented to the public.
“Social innovation means tackling social and ecological challenges through creativity, collaboration and co-creation. We need more of this in Austria. Together we can create an environment that supports social innovators and spreads successful approaches.” says Georg Schön, Managing Partner of Ashoka Austria and member of the steering group of #mitSinn.
Die Social Economy – A concept full of potential
A central concern of the #mitSinn initiative is that the Social Economylike other sectors of the economy, needs a strong innovation ecosystem to develop economically, ecologically and socially viable and sustainable solutions to pressing challenges. That is why the Action Plan Social Economy of the European Union, which also needs to be implemented in Austria. Other countries such as Germany, which adopted a National Strategy for Social Innovations and Companies for the Common Good in 2023, show how it can be done.
With over 6,000 non-profit organizations generating gross value added of over 20 billion euros, as well as around 2,500 social enterprises committed to working for the common good, this sector is a steadily growing part of the domestic economic location.Innovative approaches are crucial to counteracting the social and ecological challenges of our time. A diverse, strong social entrepreneurial sector is the fundamental basis for this.” emphasizes Susanne Hillebrand from the Hil-Foundation, which supports #mitSinn as a cooperation partner.
In order to improve the framework conditions for social economy organizations, the #mitSinn initiative has developed a comprehensive approach that, among other things, aims to promote impact-oriented funding and financing models and to introduce a national fund for social innovations that will be fed by dormant assets. The fund is specifically intended to support the dissemination and institutionalization of functioning approaches. “Social and ecological innovations will make our world a place where we will still enjoy living in 100 years. Social innovations can no longer be a niche phenomenon, but must become an integral part of everyday life”, emphasizes Nina Poxleitner, Managing Partner at schafft. and member of the steering group of #mitSinn.
Cooperation & Education – The key to success
In order to provide social innovations with the necessary framework for development and to establish them sustainably throughout Austria, the two factors “cooperation” and “education” are of crucial importance. For this reason, the #mitSinn initiative is committed to creating spaces for networking, information and participation, with a particular focus on the local level. These spaces should ensure that actors from all areas of society can share their ideas for solving social challenges, develop them further and implement them together.”Innovative ideas need an entire ecosystem that helps to actually implement them,” explains Florian Bauer from the ERSTE Foundation in this context.
In addition, #mitSinn also sees the integration of social innovation and entrepreneurship education into the curricula of schools and universities as essential. This should enable young people to acquire the ability to actively develop creative solutions that help solve the diverse challenges facing our society. Education that teaches the skills for responsible future shaping is crucial to inspire the next generation of future designers and give them the necessary tools.
“The number of people who want to meet the challenges of our time with innovative ideas is incredibly high. With #mitSinn we can succeed in implementing these ideas and create real change!“, says Matthias Lovrek, board member of SENA and member of the steering group of #mitSinn.
