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This report presents 210 ICT–enabled social innovation initiatives (collected in 2014 and 2015) in the framework of the ICT-Enabled Social Innovation project (IESI), in whose Advisory Board ESN’s Policy Director Alfonso Lara Montero participantes. It provides an interesting picture of the existing knowledge base and evidence of how ICT-enabled social innovation initiatives can promote social investment and integrated approaches to social services delivery to contribute to the policy objectives of the EU Social Investment Package (SIP).

Background

Prioritising social investment and the modernisation of social protection in EU countries are essential actions in order to fight against unemployment, poverty and social exclusion which have been increasing as a consequence of the economic crisis.

The IESI project aims to explore the nature and impact of ICT-enabled social innovation and to provide evidence-based support to the implementation of the EU Social Investment Package for growth and social cohesion (SIP) which supports the achievement of the EU 2020 strategy’s goals in terms of inclusive growth and employment.

Social innovation for the integration of services

Social innovation is a powerful means of achieving the integration of services across levels and types of government. It facilitates partnerships with third sector organisations and private service providers and helps to achieve three of the most widespread policy objectives described in the report, i.e. increasing access to and take-up of services; improving quality; and reaching out to the most disadvantaged.

The report focused on initiatives targeting groups such as young people but also active, healthy ageing and long-term care for older people.

Reference is also made to the different welfare systems and social services delivery models which characterise the various EU countries in order to contextualise the potential role played by ICT-enabled social innovation to promote social investment. Findings also show the key role of the public sector in building cross-sector partnerships to promote changes in the way services are provided.

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