Conduct of a feasibility study on the creation of a digital infrastructure to support community based social innovation in the West of Ireland

Tender description

The purpose of the feasibility study is to set out an ideal concept for such a platform and a strategy for its implementation. Potential impact of digital social innovation • Survey international best practice in digitisation of social innovation processes and enumerate potential benefits for communities in the West of Ireland. • How it might serve the needs of specific rural and urban communities – engaging key stakeholders - community, business, regional development agencies, local government within their local community. Processes for digital social innovation • Outline and map the current process of community driven innovation and identify best in class practices for community driven innovation. • How might these latest digital technologies and theories of how people’s virtual and actual experience interact be used to advance social innovation in our communities? • What would be the essential features of such a platform/tool to attract and engage people from diverse backgrounds and especially those normally marginalised? • Possible architectures/multi-layered architecture allowing for individual, group, community, regional and government involvement, creating a safe holding space, one that fortifies and encourages people to face change. Digital social innovation in practice • Select one urban and one rural community in the region and assess existing level of digital interaction • Test at least one digitisation tool in each community and evaluate its potential impact on innovative activity. Involvement of key stakeholders • Identify key stakeholders to be involved in the process and highlight any challenges to the delivery of the programme. • Who might be involved in creating this space from government, corporate and community sectors? Making it happen • Outline possible route to market and community engagement model. • Identify potential funding sources for such a project.