The Future is Collective Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Societys Biggest Challenges 2025

Collective social innovators develop collective pathways that keep groups working and learning together These profiled innovators have undertaken different journeys to arrive at a shared understanding of collective action among their stakeholders. Yet, again, there are likenesses in how these pathways operate to ensure that groups can work together effectively. Each initiative has a set of key components that allow groups to journey together along a common pathway: –A broad vision of the future that groups are working towards –A set of principles that provide a guiding framework for how to accomplish the vision –A portfolio of methods that lays out a shared methodology for groups to use in their work –A collection of practices that groups are experimenting with to drive change Collective social innovators typically spend considerable time and energy developing these components through participatory processes that enable the contribution of groups, organizations and people represented by the collective. Some of the components are developed through intentional efforts, while others emerge organically as the groups work together. For example, the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance spent more than three and a half years conducting multiple participatory workshops to arrive at its Bioregional Plan, which outlines the collective pathway for the 30 Indigenous nations that are part of the alliance. In a similar effort, StriveTogether regularly revises its Theory of Action – a detailed document outlining many of the components of its collective pathway – through an iterative and highly engaged process with more than 70 place-based partnership network members. Importantly, the purpose of these processes is not just to arrive at effective approaches but, more critically, to align the interests and activities of diverse constituencies. Again, the process is as valuable as the outputs.Collective social innovators conduct collective activities that amplify group efforts and ensure momentum for change Collective initiatives undertake a diverse array of collective activities to amplify the work of groups, ensure their effectiveness and sustain momentum for change. These activities are categorized into five areas, each serving a unique purpose in advancing collective efforts. –Movement building focuses on creating shared narratives and expanding the stakeholder base –Strengthening data systems ensures access to reliable information to guide decision-making –Influencing institutions involves advocating for systemic changes through supportive policy-making –Hosting learning communities enables learning and growth for constituencies by providing spaces for stakeholders to exchange ideas and best practices –Investing in systemic solutions paves the way for enduring change by ensuring sufficient resources These activities are designed not only to achieve the objectives of individual groups but also to nurture broader ecosystems that enable further collective action. Notably, Community Solutions creates shared definitions and data collection methods that provide the basis for policy advocacy at state and national scales. Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement takes a complementary approach, hosting learning networks that enable members to develop key skills and competencies and then apply them across different contexts. In another example, ProjectTogether has developed an entire initiative around government reform that connects civil servants across the bureaucratic state to instil a culture of innovation within public institutions, while Financing Alliance for Health is bringing together governments, NGOs, donors and communities to develop innovative financing structures for community health.The foundation for our work is aligning contributions towards getting results. When a core group of partners gets aligned around a shared vision, and working with data, they can ask: what is the data telling us? At StriveTogether, we can work with our network to learn about the data and the work playing out in different communities. When we find the strategies that are effective, we share them across the network and continue to iterate. Jennifer Blatz, President and Chief Executive Officer, StriveTogether The Future is Collective: Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Society’s Biggest Challenges 25