1. The potential of Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas: an overview of the SIMRA project
NIJNIK Maria, BARLAGNE Carla, MILLER David and HEWITT Richard
The James Hutton Institute

2. The potential of Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas: an overview of the SIMRA project
NIJNIK Maria, BARLAGNE Carla, MILLER David and HEWITT Richard
The James Hutton Institute
Social Innovation (SI):
…responds to social demands not traditionally addressed by markets or existing institutions….
…is first and foremost about quality of life and well-being…
…involves new social relationships and collaborations, governance mechanisms & economic opportunities…
…a mechanism for human societies to address sustainability and social justice issues…
Geographic area of remit

3. Social Innovation as one answer
to the recent crisis
Crisis requires us to “shift to a new economic thinking” and “innovative models of growth and governance … recreate trust among people … [and] economic and social sustainability and transparency in decision making” (BEPA, Challenge Social Innovation, 2012).
SI does not “just happen” but requires incentives and mechanisms to stimulate it. There is a need to identify what can leverage it (OECD, 2012)
Our project: Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas (SIMRA). EU H m €, April 2016 to March 2020
14 countries, including 2 EEA members, and partners from Middle East and North Africa. Coordinated by James Hutton Institute.

4. Project Overview Overarching aim:
Advance understanding of social innovation and innovative governance in agriculture, forestry and rural development, and how to boost them, in marginalised rural areas across Europe and the Mediterranean, including non-EU countries
Case studies and Innovation Actions to:
Support governance and SIs, addressing social needs/new social relationships and collaborations
Key tasks:
Develop theoretical and operational frameworks
Develop methods for evaluation of SI and impacts in rural areas
Co-construct evaluation of SIs
Synthesise and disseminate to policy makers/end-users
Create collaborative learning, networking and innovation actions

5. Communication Dissemination through social media, web etc.
Wide range of social media
16 languages
Dedicated communication team
Social Innovation Think Tank
Context, horizon-scanning, direction
Science Advisory Board
Stakeholder Involvement Board
22 SITT members – 10 x EU countries; Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia