Novel approaches to overcoming barriers in public sector innovation
EU institutions are recognising that traditional approaches to problem solving are insufficient when they are applied to society's most complex and pervasive challenges. However, social innovation is difficult to achieve with traditional institutions, structures and policies. In addition, the cost of addressing these issues is rising, and government resources available to do so are limited. The EU-funded LIPSE (Learning from innovation in public sector environments) project looked at new ideas and ways of thinking to meet the growing demand for public services. Overall, the goal was to identify policy areas where European governments could be enabling more social innovation and analyse why there might still be some barriers to this, from administrative to cultural ones. By studying social innovation and processes in 11 EU Member States and several policy sectors, project partners identified drivers and barriers to successful innovation in the public sector. Research focused on seven policy sectors that are relevant to the EU: social security/welfare services; (mental) health services; sustainable public services; public utilities; (electronic) procurement; information society/information and communication technologies (teleworking); and urban/rural planning for regeneration. They also took into consideration the role of regional and local authorities. Surveys, interviews, literature reviews and case studies helped to draw various comparisons across countries, and to examine different aspects of innovation in a similar way throughout the EU. The LIPSE team produced and disseminated knowledge and findings about public innovation to the wider academic and policy communities. As such, six working papers and seven policy briefs targeting policymakers summarise key project outcomes and provide easy access to data and analysis. Lastly, a series of recommendations were delivered on overcoming barriers to innovation. LIPSE findings can guide policymakers on the future course of social innovation and how it can contribute to modern-day social challenges.
Keywords
Public sector, social innovation, public services, LIPSE
