In tough times it is good to know that there are new and innovative events happening on the horizon no matter how far away that can seem.  As such it is worth noting that Barack Obama has recently announced that he will create and give funding to a new Office of Social Innovation in the USA. In addition there has also been a European move by President Barroso exploring links in innovation and Social Goals for the European Parliament. 

Whilst things seem fairly bleak in the current Economic crisis, think-tanks and policy organisations in the UK are engaging in lots of discussions as to how the recession could be a catalyst for change.

Geoff Mulgan, Director of the Young Foundation has this to say: “The economic crisis has helped to move social innovation from the margins to the mainstream. While the bulk of resources have gone into bailing out the banks and big industries, there's growing recognition that societies need to speed up testing and diffusion of programmes that can really deliver results for less money and alleviate the worst harm of the recession. On both sides of the Atlantic attention has turned to investing systematically in social creativity, whether in relation to climate change, ageing, or the challenges of hyper diverse cities. Few dispute the need to invest in technological innovation. But more are now recognising the need for much broader strategies for ‘recovery through innovation'.

The social innovation movement has been gathering pace globally over the last few years and has always suggested that societies should invest in new social solutions. Indeed it can be argued that the current economic crisis spells a need for new thinking.

In Washington President Obama’s announcement that he will have an Office of Social Innovation in the White House signifies just such a re-think, he is planning to fund the new Department with $3.5 billion a year paid for by ending the war in Iraq and eliminating corporate tax loopholes.  Obama stated the need to “…..invest in ideas that can help us meet our common challenges, because more often than not the next great social innovation won’t be generated by the government.”

Where does the community and voluntary sector fit in this discussion?

Recognition for the not for profit/community and Voluntary sector has always been a goal of those that work in the sector. Traditionally investment in training and so on has been prioritised for the business sector. We still spend less on training in the community and voluntary sector that our business counterparts. However the sector is now considerable in size and a large employer especially here in Northern Ireland. Awareness and recognition of the work being carried out by the sector continues to grow. With this must come commitments and response to needs within the sector regarding its role and important position within the UK Economic and Social make-up. 

Geoff Mulgan, Director the Young Foundation, has this to say: “….the voluntary and community sector is no longer a marginal part of the economy. Its aggregate turnover is much bigger than the car industry and, according to the UK Voluntary Sector Workforce Almanac 2007; the voluntary sector workforce included 611,000 employees - making it a bigger employer than the UK's banks and building societies.”

Closer to home Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Department of Social Development has said: “One of the key factors in successfully tackling deprivation and assisting regeneration is through a partnership approach and I recognise the important role which the voluntary and community sector has to play in this process.”

Action does of course speak louder that words and it worth noting that in Europe as well as the U.S. there is action being taken.  In Denmark, Italy and Spain there have been moves over the last few years to work innovatively, building social enterprise and innovation into Government services. New Zealand and Australia recently both set up centers for social innovation and in the US new ways of addressing needs and building Social Capital etc are being tried out.

Undoubtedly right now in the Community and Voluntary sector here in Northern Ireland there is a period of continual change and for many this brings uncertainty. Some have refereed to this a being “a bleak time in the sector” particularly in terms of support, recognition and funding for the sector. The changes happening “out there” on the horizon however show that change is underway, the question for us, is what do we need to be doing to part of this change?