What are Social Innovation Labs?
In a nutshell, Labs hold space for diverse change makers to sense make, generate, develop, and test a portfolio of promising solutions to address complex societal challenges in a way that is collaborative, experimental, iterative, and systemic. To learn more about what we mean when we say “Lab” checkout Stream One of Inquiry here.
Examples of Labs in Action
Below we’ve pulled three videos that showcase what a Lab can look like in action. They are a small sample size of what Labs can be, but give anyone new to the space, a tangible example of what the work can look like. If you have a video on a Lab that you’d like to see profiled here reach out at actionlab@skillssociety.ca.
This 10 minute mini documentary showcases the Future of Home: Inclusive Housing Solutions Lab that focussed on co-creating accessible, affordable, and inclusive housing and support models with people with intellectual disabilities, their allies, and system stakeholders. You can learn more about the project here.
A quick 2 minute video created by Social Innovation Generation Canada (SiG) that outlines a social innovation approach - what it is and how its impactful.
This 10 minute, mini documentary highlights Design by Doing 2.0, a social innovation process that explored barriers to employment for Bhutanese newcomers in Edmonton. You can learn more about the project here.
Labs Around the World
The Labs Community
Ever wondered who else is doing Lab or “Lab-Like” work? Here we’ve created a compilation of Labs doing work we admire in Canada and beyond. Do you have a lab you’d like to submit? Submissions will be reviewed for approval by the Future of Labs team. Submit a lab >
Procurement by Co-Design
Ontario, Canada
MaRS Discovery District, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
marsdd.com/service/procurement-by-co-design/
This Lab supported technological solutions for health care institutions (e.g. hospitals, long term care homes) by pairing them with emerging tech companies. It was also a systems intervention trying to model alternative ways to procure novel solutions and break out of the limitations and challenges of traditional RFP processes.
SIBs.CO
Colombia
IDB Lab, SECO (Swiss Economic Development Agency)
A Lab focussed on transforming the way social impact projects are financed and carried out in Colombia with a focus on promoting public-private partnerships. In the first 7 years they focused on the employment challenges of people far from the labour market and have plans to move to other critical social challenges as well. SIBs.CO Currently has 6 initiatives active including: social impact bonds, performance based contracts, financial vehicles, and an open data platform.
Global Peatlands Initiative
Global Peatlands Initiative, Climate Catalyst, Climate Champions Team
globalpeatlands.org/events/gpi-innovation-lab-unlocking-private-sector-action-peatlands
This lab brought together policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders to unlock private sector action for peatlands. Out of this lab unlocking finance through viable financing mechanisms that bring together private capital and businesses with an enabling environment from policymakers was identified as one of the most pressing challenges. Next a hackathon workshop is planned to unlock the financial ‘deals’ that are needed for peatlands conservation and restoration.