Regional governance of social innovations

As part of the research project "Regional Governance of Social Innovations" (funded by the SMWK 7/2015-11/2016), civil society initiative groups, associations, organizations and individuals in Upper Lusatia were examined that tackle regional or local problems and challenges in unconventional ways, seek experimental solutions or try out new forms of cooperation between different actors. On the one hand, it was analysed how social innovations are communicated and coordinated by their actors in the course of development and, on the other hand, whether and which governance processes are realized in the intersection of social innovations and state action (politics/administration). What are the consequences of certain forms of governance for the (mis)success of social innovations? The focus is on regional or relevant social innovations. Analysis and process modeling will not only be based on empirical studies of social innovation processes in Upper Lusatia (focus: district of Görlitz). In cooperation with the district administration and social innovation organizations in the region, the research results will be applied to develop a forward-looking governance concept for social innovation in the region.

The overarching objectives of the research project were (1) the development of a theoretical-conceptual framework for the empirical and application-oriented analysis of regional governance processes of social innovations (2) the recording and documentation of important social innovations in the region, (3) the development of recommendations for action for regional/local actors in administration and politics  for the promotion of socially innovative projects and initiatives, (4) the support of networking of (potential) social innovators and the exchange with political and administrative representatives at local and regional level and (5) the preparation of a research proposal for third-party funding bodies.

The results of the research project were presented at the 10th November conference of the TRAWOS Institute in cooperation with the district of Görlitz on 25.11.2016 in Görlitz. A publication is planned.

Presentation "Shaping the future. Social innovations in Upper Lusatia "

Prof. Raj Kollmorgen at the November 2016 conference in Görlitz

Kollmorgen, Raj/Treffkorn, Katrin (2019): At a lost post? Social innovations in peripheral rural areas. A case study on Upper Lusatia. In: Thomas, Michael/Busch, Ulrich (eds./2019): Transformation in the current context - opportunities, ambivalences and blockades (working title). Berlin: trafo Verlag