The role of social innovation in addressing contemporary societal challenges: A cross-country analysis in the European context

This qualitative, comparative case study explores the role of social innovation in addressing contemporary societal challenges across European contexts. Through multi-method data collection, it examines 8 organizational cases of social innovation stratified by country (Germany and the UK) and thematic area (sustainability, migration, inequality). Approximately 65 semi-structured interviews, 6 focus group discussions, extensive participant observation and document analysis facilitate investigation of spaces, actors and impacts. Cases range from community energy cooperatives to makerspaces for migrant youth. Cross-case analysis identifies patterns in effective approaches. Key findings show hybrid funding streams enable greater experimentation than grant-dependent models, while participatory multi-stakeholder governance increases adaptation and resources leveraged through networks. Integrated initiatives addressing intersecting issues of displacement, exclusion and environmental damage reflect promising ecosystem thinking, although policy misalignments often hamper such approaches. Digital interfaces appear crucial for accelerating participation, however extremes of tech-centrism or analog elitism proved suboptimal, with blended virtual and embodied community spaces optimal. The research advances contextualized understanding of the potentials and constraints for social innovation to seed alternative systems transforming European societies amid complex, urgent sustainability crises. It concludes with tailored recommendations for supporting and scaling civil society experimentation through coordinated policy reforms.