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

Introduction Opportunities: Why highlight collective social innovation now? While collective action is not new, the size and complexity of social challenges have grown immeasurably. Contemporary problems, with greater interdependence between geographies, cultures and disciplines, require innovation with forms of organizing that can incorporate diverse perspectives and bridge established institutions. This innovative work has grown in prominence, with many in the field of social innovation highlighting its importance. New terms have emerged for these approaches, including “systems orchestration”, “field catalysing,” and “collectively- owned strategies”. Philanthropic leaders Don Gips, Tulaine Montgomery, Rohini Nilekani and Christiane Sultani recently wrote, “System orchestrators play a critical role in bringing about transformational social change by knitting together actors and institutions, providing backbone infrastructure, and mobilizing collective change efforts across ecosystems, sectors, and geographies.”4 Recent research from social impact advisers Bridgespan Group and Dalberg Catalyst also delves deeply into the work of supporting these collective actors.5,6 Collective social innovation reinforces social cohesion and also allows innovators, funders, businesses and Collective approaches to addressing societal challenges – often enhanced by digital technologies – are critically needed in a world paralysed by polarization. The world is facing several major transitions all at once. Rapid economic, technological, geopolitical, environmental and social changes are occurring simultaneously.2 Responding to these changes through the individual work of isolated organizations and institutions is no longer adequate. Solutions will more likely be found at the intersections of sectors, disciplines and communities. Social innovators are at the forefront of these challenges, no longer innovating in just products, services and delivery models for social progress, but rather innovating with the ways in which people collaborate for change. Humanity’s superpower is collaboration Despite the urgent need for collective innovation, collective approaches are not new. Many people – past, present and future – have initiated and sustained social change through collective approaches. Historian Yuval Noah Harari writes, “[Humans] rule the world not because we are so wise, but because we are the only animals that can cooperate flexibly in large numbers.”3 The archetype of the lone innovator is, in fact, a relatively new one. Innovation is instead more likely to occur through changes accruing over time as communities and groups share information, build upon promising ideas and collaborate to solve problems. Traditions of collective action have taken various forms throughout history, including community- based rituals, social movements, mutual assistance and resource sharing. Indigenous communities around the world have long practised collective action through ceremonies and communal efforts tied to land stewardship, cultural preservation and social harmony. Today, these cultural traditions have been both augmented and challenged by new technologies that allow people to connect in new ways, amplifying individual voices and creating shared platforms. Through such traditions, societies harness the power of unity to create change, resist oppression and develop resilience. Collaboration across differences is becoming both increasingly necessary and increasingly difficult. To address the challenges we face, we need to work with ‘unlike others’, from diverse organizations, sectors and backgrounds, whether from down the street or across the globe. But our tendency, amplified by our politics, psychology and social media, to categorize others as right or wrong, good or bad, friends or enemies is making it harder for us to do what we need to do. Collective social innovators are pioneering ways to narrow this gap. Adam Kahane, Director, Reos Partners; Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Thought Leader awardee 2022 and author of Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with or Like or Trust The Future is Collective: Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Society’s Biggest Challenges 7