BACKGROUNDER

May 16, 2011

The Ontario Social Innovation Summit

The Social Innovation Summit is the launch to begin developing a roadmap for supporting social innovation to tackle challenges such as poverty and pollution.

Most social, environmental, economic and cultural challenges are complex and challenging. Everyone – government, public and private sectors, non-profit and Ontarians need to come together to answer the call to these challenges.

Already, socially minded entrepreneurs are coming up with new solutions to make social change. They are working together with government, the private and non-profit sectors and other organizations to use resources more effectively and provide real benefits to the people of Ontario.

Examples of these entrepreneurs include:

• Social Capital Partners – An investment firm that finances businesses that employ people, such as those with disabilities, who might otherwise have a hard time finding a job.
• Monforte Dairy – An artisan cheese maker that takes a different approach to agriculture that turns producers and customers into partners.
• Eva’s Initiatives – A group of programs that serve people without a home and at-risk youth. The Eva’s Phoenix Print Shop provides employment and training programs and generates revenue for the other initiatives, including three shelters located in Toronto.

The goal of the Summit is to develop the tools, policies and partnerships that will help the private and not-for-profit sectors generate revenues, increase value and enhance Ontario’s ability to overcome environmental, social, economic and cultural challenges in our communities.