A social enterprise managing local recreation facilities.  An online group of mothers discussing and debating child care.  A Social Innovation Camp of programmers and issue advocates developing new online applications to address social issues.

Delivery of a policy intervention or publically-funded programme has never been the sole remit of the government.  However, more than ever, we are seeing lines blurring between public, private, and third sector.

Social tools provide new ways for the public to devise and implement solutions to social problems, and for the government to make use of them.

“The financial and economic crisis makes creativity and innovation in general, and social innovation in particular, even more important to foster sustainable growth, secure jobs and boost competitiveness.”

- European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.