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

When we work with rigour in collective ways, we can achieve really big things. We can move toward the future that most of us want – one shaped by equity, and by community and kindness in the places where we live and visit and that we hold in our hearts. Collective approaches bring more joy and fun and lively energy into the work of creating communities where everyone has enough. This way of working is impactful, and it moves us into a future that is a couple of steps beyond where most of us are able to set our sights on when we’re at it alone, given the current crises. Danya Pastuszek, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement Collective social innovators establish supportive infrastructures that sustain collective action Collective social innovators also create supportive infrastructures that seek to achieve a blend of adaptability and stability – a vital balance for sustaining long-term engagement from multiple stakeholders. Much of this work occurs “behind the scenes” and evolves significantly over time and therefore may be underappreciated or difficult to comprehend on the part of partners, funders and policy-makers. Key elements in supportive infrastructure include: –Governance and participation structures that ensure inclusive, transparent and adaptable decision-making processes while preserving the relationship between group members and the supporting entity –Team culture and competencies that prioritize adaptability and learning, with a notable focus on a balance of content and facilitation expertise –Enabling technology that facilitates communication, data sharing and project management, often with features that enable coordination and learning activities across groups and regions. In one key example, StreetNet International has constructed a set of well-defined structures to channel the participation of nearly one million informal economy workers globally. These structures – including an International Congress with delegates from every affiliate organization and an International Council of elected office-bearers – allows members to be elected into leadership positions and gain significant experience and training in global leadership skills. Together, these administrative dimensions provide the foundation for sustained collective action, allowing initiatives to thrive even as external conditions shift and evolve. Image credit: Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement, Canada The Future is Collective: Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Society’s Biggest Challenges 26