Social innovation (SI) has been developed as an answer to major social needs that have been exacerbated due to climate change. The European Commission (EC) has highlighted the need and opportunity to invest in the development of the social economy and social enterprises in view of their valuable contribution to community development and social innovation. Social economy actors and social enterprises have been recognized as drivers of economic growth and social innovation. This module outlines the context of social innovation and the main concepts associated with the term. It also introduces the main context of Social Entrepreneurship (SE) and how it can facilitate social innovation and the provision of effective solutions to the challenging and often systemic social and environmental problems. The module adds further insight on Social Economy, the EU legal framework for Social Enterprises, along with key differences between social and conventional entrepreneurship.
