Four inspiring examples of social innovation

This chapter focuses on several very different examples of social innovation. These include: diversity of scope, diversity of sector, diversity of approach, and diversity of social innovation phases. These have been selected both to demonstrate the enormous diversity of types of social innovation that exist today, and to test the value of the chosen variables as significant parameters for analysing any given initiative. Policy-makers have shown an increasing interest in, and enthusiasm for, the potential of behavioural economics to influence people's decisions and actions for individual welfare and the collective good, particularly when designing public policy that depends on individuals' decision-making for its success. The greatest impact of the Behavioural Insights Team can be analysed from three perspectives: cultural shift; cost savings; and lifestyle choices. Public health is area that represents a major opportunity for cost savings, although in this case it is more difficult to measure.