In light of the close of the recent 2013 Social Innovation Summit in New York, New York at the end of May, it's curious to ask what exactly civil society social innovations are. That is to say: what do they look like? How big are they? Who participates? Who isn't invited to participate? How do we identify grassroots social innovations without an institutional vocabulary?
While the definition itself is continuously argued for as well as redefined, the civil society social innovations in this SocialBusiness.org slideshow range from the large to the small, the creative to the corporate, product to service, and of course, to places in between and beyond i.e. the creatively corporate such as volunteer time credit and collaborative workspace hubs.
64 Civil Society Social Innovations
64
Community Hot Desks
Hub Vilnius Lets Social Innovators Come Together in Lithuania
63
Majority World Tech Incubators
D-Rev Designs Solution-Driven Products for Low-Income Customers
62
Corporate Social Innovations
Imaginals Wishes to Change the Way CSR is Imagined
61
Social Impact Collaborations
'Root Cause' Consulting Brings Leaders Together to Solve Issues
60
Change-Focused Mobile Markets
My Street Grocery Aims to Further the Local Food Economy
59
Healthier Cooking Instruments
Ecozoom Designs Safe Cookstoves for the Developing World
58
Collaborative Workspace Launches
The Center for Social Innovation NYC Opened Earlier This Month
57
Austrian Innovation Hubs
Emersense Brings Together Social Entrepreneurs in Vienna
56
Social Business Logistics
London-Based 'Connection Crew' Hires Ex-Homeless People
55
Student-Funded Enterprise Competitions
The Dell Social Innovation Challenge Supports Entrepreneurs
54
Social Innovation Habitats
The Hub Network Helps to Incubate Ideas for Change Around the World
53
Sustainable Sanitation Systems
'San+Co.' is a Social Enterprise Tackling Waste and Electricity
52
Entrepreneurial Non-Profit Practices
'Social Focus Consulting' Fosters Business for Good
51
Incubating Himalayan Innovation
'One Earth Designs' Promotes Eco and Social Entrepreneurship
50
Online Education Charities
Brightside Offers Mentoring and Tutoring on the Web
49
Volunteer Time Credits
Spice Innovations Engages Community in Order to Create Change
48
Social Innovation Hubs
The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Offers a Voice
47
Green Social Networks
Project Dirt is an Environment-Focused Online Community
46
Stuff-Sharing Social Enterprises
Unstash Fosters Collaborative Consumption for Sustainability
45
For-Profits Women's Clinics (UPDATE)
Penda Health Sees its First Patients in Kenya
44
Urban Slum Sanitation
Sanergy Turns Kenyan Toilets into Green Social Enterprises
43
Virtuous Event Celebrations
The 'A Good Week' Launch is on Its Way So Prep for Fun
42
Plastic-Ridding Projects
Hydros is a Social Enterprise Helping to Tackle the Global Water Crisis
41
Social Responsibility Strategists
'A Very Good Company' Offers Communications for Positive Change
40
Change-Making Business Incubators
Enspiral is a Creative Launch Pad for Social Start-ups
39
Creating Community Bonds
CSI's Tonya Surman Addresses the 2011 Social Finance Forum
38
Community-Building Barter Apps
Bright Neighbor is the First Sharing Economy Mobile Platform
37
Danish Innovation Collaborations
MindLab Uses Design, Government and Business to Impact Society
36
Hubs for Changemakers
McKinsey's What Matters Showcases High Impact Social Innovation
35
Fearless Social Innovation Festivals
A Good Week Celebrates Bettering the World
34
Nigerian Entrepreneurship Incubators
The Co-Creation Hub Helps Foster Social Innovation in Lagos
33
Social Investment Learning Communities
Global Philanthropy Forum was Founded by Jane Wales in 2001
32
Globally Involved Enterprises
HP Global Social Innovation Benefits the World Through Community
31
Non-Profit Acceleration Headquarters
Space with a Soul is Boston's Social Innovation Station
30
Innovative Micro-Crowdfunding Sites
The Tipping Bucket is a Web Platform for Social Change
29
Social Finance Forums
Mobilize Capital and Inspire New Ideas at 'Investing in Good Deals'
28
Social Enterprise Connectors
The Sankalp Forum Works with Investors to Build Business
27
Indian Organic Farming Promotion
Krishi Naturals Works with Farmers to Support Biodiversity
26
Invite-Only Change Conferences
The Social Innovation Summit Attempts to Create Large-Scale Impact
25
Cause Mentorship
The Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation Invests in Innovation
24
Poverty-Fighting Soap
'Eve Echo' Sells Hygiene Products That Offer Loans to Female Entrepreneurs
23
Social Innovation Campuses
The LAB Miami Is Bringing Startup Culture to Southern Florida
22
Accessible Loans
My Home Finance is a Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneer
21
Decentralized Waste Management Solutions
'Sampurn(e)arth' Works in Mumbai to Engage Waste-Pickers
20
Social Entrepreneur Associations
‘Ashoka: Innovators for the Public' is World-Changing
19
Adventure Philanthropy Platforms
'Climb For Change' Lets You Crowdfund Your Excursion
18
Impactful Intrapreneurship Ventures
Central City Concern is an Innovative Portland Non-Profit
17
Microloans for Homelessness?
Beyond the Cardboard Shares Stories, Interviews and Resources
16
Localized Impact Investing
Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital Provides Surgeries to Eradicate Blindness
15
Green Java Distributors
Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers Helps Farmers Succeed
14
Biodiversity Contests
The Tropical Forest Challenge Looks for For-Profit Social Innovations
13
Community-Bridging Organizations
Youth Social Innovation Capital Fund (YSI) Offers Finance Support
12
Large-Scale Change Networks
The Social Innovation Generation Addresses Canada's Challenges
11
Community-Driven Workspaces
The Centre for Social Innovation Promotes New Ideas
10
Nature Vacations With Purpose
The Cascadia Experience Plans Educational Camping for Families
9
Purpose-Driven Workouts
The Good Gym Mobilizes Volunteers Through Social Good
8
Social Innovation Philanthropies
New Profit Inc. Supports Entrepreneurs for Large-Scale Change
7
Social Innovation Networking
The Skoll Foundation Fosters Entrepreneurs Worldwide
6
Community-Empowering Language Lessons
Speak Shop Enables 1-1 Spanish Tutoring Over Skype
5
Social Innovation Brokers
Volans is a Think-Tank, Incubator and Consultancy
4
Impact-Driven Health Tech Startups
Preciva is Pioneering Accessible Cervical Cancer Screenings
3
Social Innovation Incubators
Affinity Lab is a Shared Working Space and Platform in DC
2
Social Entrepreneurship Publications
SEE Change Magazine is a First for Canada
1
Social Enterprise Magazines
Beyond Profit Provides Content to Spark Positive Change
Related Ideas
Community Hot Desks
Hub Vilnius Lets Social Innovators Come Together in Lithuania
Remote Healthcare Technologies
iKure is a Kolkata-Based Delivery Platform for India
Delicious Munificent Munchies
Rubies in the Rubble Empower Women and Tackle Food Waste with Jams
Online Job-Hunting Infographics
How Social Media Influences the Workforce and Job Placements
Local Organic Beauty Businesses
Snohomish Soap Company is All-Natural and Altruistic
Change-Focused Mobile Markets
My Street Grocery Aims to Further the Local Food Economy
Healthier Cooking Instruments
Ecozoom Designs Safe Cookstoves for the Developing World
Donor-Fueled Web Communities
GivingSomeThing is an Online Platform Getting Goods to Nonprofits
Collaborative Workspace Launches
The Center for Social Innovation NYC Opened Earlier This Month
Social Investment Infographics
ClearlySo Marks the Start of the Future for Children Bond
Poverty Business Development
TechnoServe is an International Nonprofit Founded in 1968
Affordable Working Hubs
10 Carden is for Social Innovators Making an Impact
Social Capital Databases
ImpactSpace Gives Information on Companies, Entrepreneurs and Investors
Responsible Himalayan Travel
Ecosphere Focuses on the Triple Bottom Line with the Spiti Community
Subsidized Community Restaurants
Ellice Cafe & Theatre is a Hub of Activities and Delicacies
Craft Connecting Platforms
'Industree Crafts Foundation' Networks Artists with Retailers Over Indi
Healthy Economy Books
'Creating Good Work' by Ron Schultz Expands the Conversation
Sustainable Shade Systems
Skyshade is an Indian Social Business Capturing the Sun
Youth Empowering Tech Workshops
Coderise Wants to Teach Kids in Latin America How to Code
Disposable Parametric Planters
Paper Vase is a Simple Captivating Cover for an Insipid Stem Holder
Social Good Entertainment
Global Good Games Aims to Shift the Video Gaming Paradigm
Indian Bike-Sharing Schemes
Cycle Chalao Had to Close Due to Lack of Government Support
Social Work Business Models
'Friends-International' is a Novel Take on an Established Field
Dairy Farming e-Businesses
Akashganga Creates Technologies for Cooperatives in India
Holistic Food Experiences
Aya Community Markets is an Organic Nourishment in Dc
Micro Forestry Startups
KOMAZA Creates Sustainable Economic Opportunities for Farmers in Africa
Social Profit Societies
Allia Works with Investments in the United Kingdom - Allia
Crowdfunding Community Offshoots
CSI's Catalyst is a Platform for Funding Social Projects
Market-Based Poverty Solutions
Khosla Impact Invests in Products and Service for the World's Poor
One-For-One Meals
For Every Healthy Lunch Purchased, Table for Two Provides a Meal to an African C
Insulated Infant Pods
Embrace Innovations Helps Prevent Hypothermia Among Newborns
Community-Building Barter Apps
Bright Neighbor is the First Sharing Economy Mobile Platform
Socially Responsible Marketing Solutions
Eighty2degrees is Sustainability-Driven Graphic Design
Social Enterprise Software
Benetech is a U.S.-Based Nonprofit Technology Company
Indian Social Entrepreneurship Programs
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences is Pushing the Scene
Economy-Focused Sustainability Projects
Borderstep Institute Takes a Success-Driven Approach
Innovative Micro-Crowdfunding Sites
The Tipping Bucket is a Web Platform for Social Change
Rehabilitative Dairy Farms
La Fageda Offers Employment as Well as Support for the Disabled
Surgery Sponsoring Web Donations
Watsi is Making Medical Care Affordable for the Developing World
Sector-Spanning Social Firms
Purpose Capital Connects Creative Businesses and Investors
Ethical Sanitary Napkins
Azadi Aims to Create and Distribute Biodegradable Pads to Women in India
Low-Income Microfinance Associations
RADIM Works in Buenos Aires to Support Economic Development
Labor-Reducing Dairy Farms
Arohana Works in India to Reduce Dependency
Social Enterprise Connectors
The Sankalp Forum Works with Investors to Build Business
Indian Organic Farming Promotion
Krishi Naturals Works with Farmers to Support Biodiversity
Human Development Non-Profits
Dreaming Out Loud Fosters Impact-Driven Social Enterprises in DC
Social Enterprise Irrigation Systems
Driptech is a International Water Technologies Company
Social Innovation Campuses
The LAB Miami Is Bringing Startup Culture to Southern Florida
Regal Anti-Drug Movements
Doi Tung Development Project Aims to Eradicate Opium and Trafficking
Youth Tech Bootcamps
Girls Who Code Teaches Programming Skills to Young Women in NYC
Impactful Intrapreneurship Ventures
Central City Concern is an Innovative Portland Non-Profit
Local Leadership Projects
International Development Exchange was Founded in 1985
Anti-Extortion Retailers
Addioizzo Helps Italian Vendors Retaliate Against Mafia Racketeering
Collaborative Community Spaces
Bombay Connect is a Hub of Social Entrepreneurship
Online Hyper Funding Collectives
PleaseFund.Us Does Crowdfunding for Creative Community Projects
Localized Travel Companies
Adventure Alternative is a Vision of Responsible Tourism
Localized Impact Investing
Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital Provides Surgeries to Eradicate Blindness
Sports Uniting Enterprises
StreetFootballWorld Connects Social Businesses Worldwide Via Soccer
Mobile Life-Saving Enterprises
Dial 1298 Provides Emergency Medical Attention to Individuals
Green Java Distributors
Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers Helps Farmers Succeed
Youth Innovation Mentorships
Startup Corps Engages Students in Social Enterprise in Philadelphia
Portuguese Social Portals
Brazil Station Provides Language Services and Education
Non-Profit Supporting Bistros
Central City Coffee is a Social Enterprise Cafe in Portland
Community-Bridging Organizations
Youth Social Innovation Capital Fund (YSI) Offers Finance Support
Awareness-Raising Business Networks
Social Enterprise West Midlands is a Top Consultancy
Nature Vacations With Purpose
The Cascadia Experience Plans Educational Camping for Families
Social Firm Community Cafes
Frogmeadow Reinvents the Labor Market in the United Kingdom
Positive Impact Promo Products
Ad Spice Promotional Marketing Uses Earth-Friendlier Products
One for One Eyewear Lines
The Warby Parker Do Good Initiative Provides Reading Glasses to the Poor
Car Rental Cooperatives
Moorcar is a Social Enterprise Fostering Community Initiatives
Spanish-Supporting Social Enterprises
'Movimiento Idun' is a Language-Based CIC in Spain
Latin American Business Accelerators
Agora Partnerships Supports Social Entrepreneurs
Investment Metrics Webinars
The 'Social Measurement Use Among Canadian Impact Investors' Study
Idea-Led Purpose Companies
BeCause LLC Consults and Invests in Business Models
Impact-Driven Health Tech Startups
Preciva is Pioneering Accessible Cervical Cancer Screenings
Crowdfunding for Social Start-ups
'33needs' is a Website Helping to Start Companies with Purpose
Social Innovation Incubators
Affinity Lab is a Shared Working Space and Platform in DC