Social innovation and its types in rural areas
2015
Melece, L., Latvian State Inst. of Agrarian Economics, Riga (Latvia)
The growth of modern economic systems has generated more numerous, complex and urgent social challenges. The aim of study is to clarify the term (definition) and meaning of social innovations and to determine the types of social innovations in the rural areas. The results of study show that the definition of social innovation is still vague. Despite the social innovation being defined and interpreted differently, it provides the social benefits for both local community and/or society in general. When accepting broader description of social innovation, it was concluded that social innovation is not the same as social entrepreneurship. Nowadays, social innovations, particularly in the rural areas, focus on successful solution of different social, economic, political and environmental issues. The social benefits, for instance, reduce the threat of climate change (e.g. reducing greenhouse gas emissions); maintain the biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes; offer fresh and healthy local food etc., can be provided by the social innovations based on the agricultural production and other rural activities. The following social innovations (but not all) are or will be suitable for Latvia: sustainable or environment friendly agricultural production; local food systems; social or care farming; social services; renewables (e.g. bioenergy); ecosystem services (int. al. tourism) and recreation services; cooperation; local action groups and financial services.
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