From the Margins to the Mainstream

The world financial crisis and big cuts in spending on public services make voluntary and community action more vital. Progress depends more clearly than ever on ‘social entrepreneurs’ - including residents with ideas and determination to make things better in the neighbourhoods where they live and work. ‘Social innovation’ in the words of Geoff Mulgan ‘is moving from the margins to the mainstream.’

Geoff is the Director of the Young Foundation, which describes itself as a ‘social innovation centre’. Prior to joining the Young Foundation, he served as policy adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair. He is joining Resident University members for a Chamberlain Forum lecture on Social Innovation in the Big Society.   Who will be responsible for coming up with new ideas and how will they be tested out given that there will be much less state intervention and less public funding?