UK 'has most digital social innovation organisations in Europe'

08 Jun 2017 News

There are 1,883 digital social innovation organisations, 361 of which are based in the UK, according to a new analysis by Nesta, but established charities are "unaware" of the potential.

A digital social innovation (DSI) organisation is one which uses technology as its primary tool to create positive social change - sometimes known as "tech for good".

Nesta, a foundation which supports the use of arts and technology to create social change, recently published a report, What next for digital social innovation? Realising the potential of people and technology to tackle social challenges, in which it mapped the activity of DSI organisations, by looking at those using the digitalsocial.eu platform. 

It found that that the DSI sector has not “entered the mainstream” with few examples of DSI bodies collaborating with established charities, other non-profits, or governments. 

“We are fare from making the most of the potential in DSI with few examples of DSI achieving impact at scale,” the report said. 

The report noted that there is “significant geographical disparity” across Europe with a concentration of activity in cities and Western and Southern Europe. 

Barriers 

It identifies a number of barriers including funding, skills and limited uptake of DSI by civil society organisations and government. 

Funding is described as “one of the greatest challenges” and the report said grant funding is “essential” and highlights the Nominet Trust as an example of a growing number of philanthropic funders active in the area.  

Resistance from established charities 

The report says that “adoption by established civil society organisations has been limited” but that closer working between established non-profits and DSI organisations offers both a “huge opportunity” to expand reach.

But it says that lack of skills at established charities is the biggest barrier. 

“We have found that the biggest barrier to uptake of DSI within civil society organisations is the shortage of digital skills and lack of digital leadership within CSOs. As a result, CSOs are often unaware of the potential of DSI, unable t develop and implement SI tools and services, and in some cases are resistant to new technologies,” the report said. 

Civil Society Media is hosting its Charity Technology Conference on 9 November 2017. For more information, and to book, click here.


 

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