Phenomena of Social Innovation: Practical attempts from Slovakia

A social innovation represents unusual inspirational ideas to various kinds of social problems which are more effective, efficient, sustainable, or introduce solutions for which the value created arises primarily to society as a whole rather than private individuals. The term social innovation is not very well known in Slovakia yet. Although it exists and develops, it is still more often spread as social affairs, social policy, or the third sector activities. This article brings an overview of social innovation definitions and describes how the free flow of ideas, values, roles, and relationships across sectors is enhancing the social innovation. Further we introduce the understanding of social innovation in Slovakia on a few chosen examples from various sectors. At last we suggest ways to continue dismantling the barriers between the sectors through collaboration between government, non-profit and business sector to create new and lasting solutions to the most nettlesome social problems of our times.