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
Cause Mentorship
The Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation Invests in Innovation
25
Invite-Only Change Conferences
The Social Innovation Summit Attempts to Create Large-Scale Impact
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
Ergonomic Wellness Designs
Humanscale Creates Pieces Designed with The Body in MInd
Modern Cultural Institutions
Centre SANAAQ Opened in Montreal's Peter-Mcgill District
Creative Retail Competitions
Bricks & Minifigs Launches LEGO Clock Design Contest
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Experiential Wellness Activations
Creating Significance Sets Up Its Well Design Summit
Greenhouse Office Pavilions
Office for Roundtable + JXY Studio Create Multifunctional Office
Renewed Urban Rooftops
The Heineken Seoul Rooftop Turns Unused Rooftops into Community Spaces
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Operational Professional Workspace Frameworks
Valentyns is Located in Cologne, Germany
Reimagined Petrochemical Field Projects
Projet Paysage & Cardin Julien Develop a Civic Landscape
Multifunctional City Lighting Infrastructure
[ui!] Urban Lighting Innovations Improves City Lights
Architectural Community Spaces
The Street Clubhouse Forms Social Connection Through Open Design
College Campus Interior Designs
CIVILIAN Designs Bard College's Campus Interiors
Social Sports Pavilions
Good City Studio Transforms a Power Plant into Ballers Sports Venue
Advanced School Safety Innovations
Navigate360 Debuts "One Platform for a Safe & Compliant School"
Multitasking Volunteer Initiatives
Heineken Fan Volunteers Applies a Rarely Used Employee Benefit
Catalytic Process Startups
Greentown Labs Announces Its Go Make 2026 With Shell Catalysts
Biophilic Workplace Designs
Urban Soul Project and UNStudio Designed The Glade Office
Connecting Community Centers
UTT Empower Soweto is a Multipurpose Hub Joining Residents and Nature
Utensil Waste Lighting
Fold Oslo Nytt Lys Capsule Shows How Light Can Emerge from Old Materials
Adult Social Clubs
Social Club 150 Offers In-Person Events to Connect Adults in Their 40s - 60s+
Community Improvement Tours
The Lowe's Community Bucket List Tour Helps to Revitalize Shared Space
Colleague-Connecting Pubs
The Office by Heineken Celebrates the Best Part of Work Culture
Commercial Lunar Infrastructure
NASA Expands Private Partnerships for Moon Base Development
Planet-Conscious Workspaces
Humanscale Debuts Human-Centered Solutions
Early-Stage Global Innovation Competitions
Red Bull Basement 2026 is Accepting Applications
Interactive Convention Activations
LEGO SMART Play Transforms Comic-Con into Immersive Experiences
Collaborative Software Development
GitHub Supports Software Building Through Collaboration Tools
Housing Collective Projects
La Comunidad Habitacional by Cierto Estudio Forms Shared Urban Spaces
Senior Creative Teams
Tosti Creative Put Out a Call for Senior Creatives Aged 70 and Older
Collaborative Packaging Development
UNITED CAPS Launches Live Packaging Co-Creation Sessions
Architectural Threshold Installations
The Some Kind of Practice Installation Reimagines Courtyards
Idea Generation Tools
One Million Ideas Offers Endless Inspiration for Companies and Users
Anti-Screen Summer Social Events
Eventbrite Presents 'The Offline Summer' Initiative
In-Person Creativity Cafe Campaigns
The Made in Starbucks Campaign Spotlights Customer Creativity
African Creator Economy Platforms
The Sony Innovation Fund is Supporting the Work of Twiva
Architectural Hardware Designs
A Manifesto on Touch Presented Bankston’s Collaborative Hardware
Climate-Adaptive Product Innovations
The Canton Fair Highlights Its Climate-Adaptive Innovations
Large-Scale Dining Events
The Longest Table Offers an Open Invitation for Food and Connection
Community Wellness Centres
The Apple House by Okra Supports Nature Based Learning
High-Profile Longevity Community Initiatives
Novotel Has Introduced the Novotel 37 Collective
AI-Assisted Government Initiatives
ElevenLabs for Government Supports Public Sector Organizations
Research-Focused AI-Assisted Workspaces
Elsevier Recently Debuted the LeapSpace Digital Platform
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Interactive Urban Furniture
The Basic Forms (Of Urban Life) Installation Invite Public Interaction
Social Engagement Platforms
Sociable AI Predicts Viral Posts And Generates Brand Aligned Comments
Mobile Urban Furniture
The Outsiders is a Range of Movable Public Furniture for Community Spaces
Humanities Centre Projects
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Anchors in Oxford
Participatory Brand Platforms
Crown Royal Builds a Community-Driven Cultural Platform
Social Networking Hubs
Internet Social Café Lets Users Explore Cafés and Build Online Connections
Customer Collaboration Hubs
Rise Baking Opens a Commercial and R&D Center in Atlanta
Sovereign Cloud Workspaces
IONOS and Nextcloud Launch a Sovereign Microsoft 365 Alternative
Startup Growth Strategies
The Virality Playbook Shares 350+ Proven Growth Hacks for Startups
Corporate Coworking Campus Spaces
Ford Debuts The Mezz At Michigan Central Station
Productivity Co-Working Games
On-Together: Virtual Co-Working Turns Focus Sessions to Shared Play
Bar-Centric Lecture Events
Sip & Learn Toronto Merges Night Life with Continued Education
Embedded Safety Networks
‘Ask for Angela’ Builds Retail-Based Support Systems Across Toronto
City-Focused Influencer Platforms
Storytime Launches Storytime Marketplace in Cities
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
Digital Craft-Inspired Public Spaces
FUTUREFORMS Merges Architecture and Technology
Co-Creation Food Labs
Vibrant Ingredients Expands Rapid Prototyping for Food and Beverage Brands
Festival Exploration Platforms
Today's Festival Documents Global Cultural Celebrations
Professional Networking Platforms
SPILL Brings Cultural Conversations To Professional Networking
Culinary Research Landmarks
The Gastronomy Open Ecosystem Unites Education and Innovation
Circular Pavilion Design
UNFOLD Transforms Temporary Structures into Reusable Material Systems
Professional Connection-Promoting Campaigns
TheLi.st Spotlights 10 Minutes of Togetherness
Storytelling Workspaces
M Moser’s London Office Uses Behavioral Design and Brand-Focused Interiors
Community Hunger Initiatives
Capacity & FoodBridge Launch Hunger Relief & Social Equity Initiative
Compact Civic Workspaces
The Stroud Green Housing Centre Creates a Modest Community Hub
Sports Complex Design Competitions
The Université De Montréal Hosts a Competition for Students
Social Finance Ecosystems
Venmo blends payments, rewards, and social discovery features
Media Literacy Programs
YouTube x Institute for Strategic Dialogue Launched 'Be Internet Citizens'
Hospitality-Driven Collectives
The Aperitivo Society Curates Italian Culture for Communities
Impact Travel Guides
Giveback Guide Connects Travelers With Meaningful Ways To Support Local
Intelligent Urban Infrastructure
The Korea Innovation Foundation Supports TurbineCrew's Smart Pole
Idea Collaboration Hubs
Idearify Helps Users Create, Collaborate, And Protect Their Ideas
Decentralized Social Websites
Surf Enables Creator-Owned Platforms
Community-Driven Loyalty Programs
Salad House Turned Guest Spending Into Local Donations
Innovation Factory Museums
The Museum of Innovation, Startup & Technology Transforms a Factory
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Neighborhood-Specific Pop-Up Events
Cabbagetown BIA Spotlights Around the World in Cabbagetown
Collaborative Corporate Offices
İkibiniki Designed the VHV Reasürans Offices
Design-Forward Hybrid Spaces
Blanchette archi.design Envisioned Bistro Siège Social & Café Social
Accessibility-Dedicated Nonprofit Organizations
VisionServe Alliance Operates in the US and Canada
International Civic Landmarks
Nobel Center by David Chipperfield Architects Will Anchor a Space
Third Space Community Programming
Exhibition Place Community Connect Events Will Launch This July
Community Cultural Centers
The Villas De San Pablo Cultural Center is a Community Facility
Civic Theatre Renovations
The Court Theatre Anchors Community and Craft Through Architecture
Responsible AI Alliances
CRAIG Unites Universities And Corporates Around Ethical AI Deployment
Indoor Art Playgrounds
The Playground is an Interactive Show at the National Building Museum
Children-Designed Pavilions
Hi Ladders High Shows How Design Can Shape Inclusive Public Spaces
Digital Craft Platforms
The Apple and Design Miami Collaboration Explores Creative Innovation
Sports Community Platforms
Sports Social Connects Athletes And Gamers Through Local Events
Inclusive Tech Brand-Initiated Programs
Samsung Places Great Focus on Accessibility and Inclusion
Remote Work Community Platforms
Drop In Makes Casual Coworking Meetups Easier To Discover
Circular Timber Pavilions
SKREINSTUDIOS and Partners Present THE ICON in Davos
Curated Film Selections
The Planet Classroom Network Debuts Nine Short Films in October
Grassroots Recreational Initiatives
FCC Hoops is Now the Full Court Sports Club
Next-Gen Social Work Courses
Springer Publishing Offers Social Work Licensure Preparation Courses
Targeted Startup Incentive Programs
Sugar Land Launches the 'Sugar Land Starts Up Innovation Fund'
Community Garden Campuses
The Triangle Site Was Built Through a Community-Led Programme
Repurposed Community Hubs
Mooie Buurt Adds Value to Venues & Unites Locals During Off-Peak Hours
Employee Volunteer Services
The Clorox Company is Committing to 300,000 Employee Volunteer Hours
Interactive Lobby Installations
Con-Vivere Transforms MAXXI's Lobby into a Social Environment
Corporate Volunteer Initiatives
TELUS Hosted Its 21st Annual Days of Giving
Developer Community Platforms
Side Project World Connects Builders To Turn Ideas to Real Projects
Urban Data Landmarks
Spark 761 Ai Data Centre Presents a Transparent Civic Computing Facility
Civic Education Hubs
The Sammontalo Community Centre is a Multi-Use Civic Building in Finland
Community Connection Initiatives
Hosted Chatter & Natter Sessions Help People Connect Weekly
Community-Led Playscape Designs
The Urban Conga Develops the Common Corner Project
Grant Discovery Platforms
Startup Grants Helps Founders Find and Apply For Non-Dilutive Funding
Interactive Public Pavilions
The Radius Transformation Pavilion Lets Visitors Shape Space
Digital Fundraising Competitions
Headquarterz Launched the Community Cup
Tech-Empowered Accessibility Initiatives
Remarkable Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities
Collective Participation Campaigns
Garnier Launches the Collective for the Planet Program
Casual Baking Class Concepts
The Baking Social Makes Baking Fun, Social and Accessible
Social Entertainment Apps
BuzzWheel Turns Group Gatherings Into Interactive Challenge Experiences
Valley-Inspired Offices
Wataru Architects' Kitaoka Group Office Redefines Workspace in Mima City
Idea Validation Platforms
The Idea Hub Transforms Early Concepts Into Actionable Business Insights
Evolving Design Studios
The Pat Austin Office Evolved Through Years of Gradual Design Refinement
Accessibility-Focused Evaluation Systems
Santander Work Cafés Implements ‘Accessibility Scores’
Startup Funding Directories
Credit for Startups Helps Entrepreneurs Discover Funding Opportunities
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
Housing Innovation Symposiums
The Boston Society for Architecture Focuses on the Future of Housing
Year-Round Membership Communities
The Assembly Brings Together Thought Leaders Across Industries
Vertical Cultural Villages
The Bihailou Art Village is a Mixed-Use Cultural Complex
Grid-Connected Pavilions
Solar Electric Pavilion Powers the Grid and Charges Phones from Its Seats
Modern Female-Focused Communities
The Gettysburg Salon Emphasizes Connection and Dialogue
Redeveloped Industrial Cafés
Ironworks Café Transforms an Old Factory into a Culinary Hub
Professional Networking Communities
Waivly Connects Professionals Through A Private Network
Social Sharing Tools
Social Plus Expands Your Reach With Shared Posts Across Platforms
Community Strategy Guides
Community Building Guidebook Provides Frameworks To Grow Engaged Groups
Workplace Engagement Platforms
Café Helps Teams Connect Through In Person Meetings And Events
Comprehensive Content Guides
Content Creation Wiki Provides Step-By-Step Guides For Better Content
Wave-Inspired Civic Halls
The Sail Congress Centre in Big Normandy Curves into Public Architecture
Idea Management Systems
IdeaHole Helps Capture, Organize, And Evaluate Ideas Over Time
Office Event Initiatives
Little Village Lantern Detroit is a Sound Office Project Designed by OMA
Student Art Exhibitions
Lebanese Students Design in Conflict Shows Student Work Shaped by Crisis
Tiered Office Incentive Programs
Superhuman Launches the Ways of Working Program
Welfare-Focused Student Hubs
G/O Architecture Uni-Center Renovation Opens Campus Life