An Ecosystem of Social Innovation? Analysis of the Role of the Actors Who Make Up 4h in the Aveiro Region, Portugal

Objective: Understand the functioning of the Social Innovation Ecosystem (SIE) in the Intermunicipal Community of the Aveiro Region (ICAR) regarding the role of public policies from the University of Aveiro (UA) of social entrepreneurs and their typology. Theoretical Framework: Social Innovations (SI) are innovations that are social in their ends and means. Due to the positive social results, they enhance the capacity of civil society to act. This mobilization of individuals is present in the Quadruple Helix Innovation System Framework. This model is related to the concept of EIS, which includes social entrepreneurs, investors, beneficiaries, and public policy. Method: A literature review of national, regional, and local strategic documents. It relies on the results of a national study on the EIS, Sled by the UA, in partnership with the Portugal Social Innovation Mission Structure (PSIMS). Results and Discussion: Combining the analysis of SI projects supported by PSIMS with the initiatives promoted by regional and local policy and with support from the UA allowed us to obtain the profile of the SIE actors in ICAR and their contribution to the success of the SIE. Research Implications: This exploratory study is the initial stage of a more in-depth investigation into the role of actors in SIE. It is expected that this mapping will help to build regional and local strategies that facilitate the success of SI initiatives. Originality/Value: Contributes to the evolution of knowledge within the scope of the functioning of regional SIE in Portugal. Its recommendations and discoveries hope to be integrated into the promotion of improvements to its operation.