IC-04-2022 - Conduct of a feasibility study on the creation of a digital infrastructure to support community based social innovation in the West of Ireland

Descriptions

The purpose of the feasibility study is to set out an ideal concept for such a platform and a strategy for its implementation. Potential impact of digital social innovation•Survey international best practice in digitisation of social innovation processes and enumerate potential benefits for communities in the West of Ireland. •How it might serve the needs of specific rural and urban communities – engaging key stakeholders - community, business, regional development agencies, local government within their local community.Processes for digital social innovation•Outline and map the current process of community driven innovation and identify best in class practices for community driven innovation. •How might these latest digital technologies and theories of how people’s virtual and actual experience interact be used to advance social innovation in our communities?•What would be the essential features of such a platform/tool to attract and engage people from diverse backgrounds and especially those normally marginalised?•Possible architectures/multi-layered architecture allowing for individual, group, community, regional and government involvement, creating a safe holding space, one that fortifies and encourages people to face change.Digital social innovation in practice•Select one urban and one rural community in the region and assess existing level of digital interaction •Test at least one digitisation tool in each community and evaluate its potential impact on innovative activity. Involvement of key stakeholders•Identify key stakeholders to be involved in the process and highlight any challenges to the delivery of the programme.•Who might be involved in creating this space from government, corporate and community sectors? Making it happen•Outline possible route to market and community engagement model.•Identify potential funding sources for such a project.