Social Innovation

In recent years, social innovation has become a general concept that gathers people and institutions working in the field of solving social problems under its umbrella. It can be realized by individual social entrepreneurs, groups of several individuals, social communities with a common goal or various institutions. Recently, we are going through a period in which people and institutions that contribute to the solution of social problems are generally referred to as social innovators. Social actors, who were generally described as civil society or social entrepreneurship in the past, are now considered as social innovators. Moreover, public and private sector organizations are also working in the field of social innovation, and they make significant contributions to the solutions of social problems.

Center for Social Innovation is the first institution established in this field in our country. However, there are centers working in the field of social innovation in many countries for many years, and research and application units in many universities. Although there are examples of social innovation in various fields in our country, it is not the result of the conscious application of this concept. Social innovation is not yet a field that is conceptually discussed, ideas are produced, and studies are carried out in an organized manner in our country. SIM works to increase awareness of the concept of social innovation, to spread applications in this field, to develop activities and projects, and to ensure coordination and cooperation among social benefit actors.