Making a change? Social innovation as a new policy tool in Europe

The notion of social innovation is particularly appealing in light of the difficulties facing traditional welfare systems and, more broadly, a development model essentially based on only two actors (the market and the state) that is finding it increasingly difficult to meet the growing and diversified needs of society. We will present findings and conclusions of the EU FP7 project WILCO - Welfare Innovations at Local Levels in Favour of Cohesion which have looked into the missing link between innovations at the local level and their successful transfer and implementation to other settings. In conclusion, we will discuss the potential contribution of social innovations as a new policy tool to strengthening social cohesion in Europe