Vol. 24 (2024): Innovations in Cross-Sector Collaborations: An Approach to Increase Ecosystem and Place-Based Impact

 Dear Reader,

The Social Innovations Journal (SIJ) has been and is at the heart of collaborations and social impact for over 15 years. Since 2008, SIJ has brought nonprofits, philanthropy, government, businesses, and civic leaders together to collectively focus their expertise and resources on complex issues of importance. 

In response to our readership and community expressing the need for greater coordination and coalition-building among organizations and across sectors, we are publishing this edition titled 'Innovations in Cross-Sector Collaborations: An Approach to Increase Ecosystem and Place-Based Impact'. This edition is complimentary to the prior editions curated by the Tamarak Institute titled Community Innovation: A Place-Based Approach to Social Innovation and Transformative Community titled Transformative Partnerships: Proceedings of Transformations.

Strategic collaborations that convene government, philanthropy, private sector, and community result in better 'collective' problem solving to address the core challenges of a region. These spark further innovations and collaborations across sectors based upon collective problem-solving approaches, attract and leverage federal, state, and local investments, drive regional policy change, and build capacity, learning from and with each other, of all sectors through the exploration, project development, and implementation of solutions.  

Cross Sector Collaborations need to be based on relationships between organizations, people, and those collaborating around common interests. These relationships are not static, but rather grow and develop as new members continually come to the table. A regional cross-sector network cannot be an insular effort but needs to be an ever-evolving and inclusive network that embraces many types of organizations that strive to create educational practices and community approaches, develop the evidence for what works, and partner on research and action. Cross sector collaborations need to address problems by looking for what is working and why. This accelerates the process of positive change by occupying people with doing rather than dwelling on why it can't be done.

Cross sector collaborations need to lead by returning humanity to communities, including community voices, culture, lived experiences, empathy, and understanding. A cross-sector network needs to work towards improved partnerships and collaborations with regional and national associations and institutions that are aligned in strategies, efforts, and initiatives. The aim is to increase collaboration and inclusion of all participants in the ecosystem of the region to achieve healthy individuals and communities.

The intent of this edition is to inspire collaboration which will result in the creation of better problem-solving strategies addressing the core challenges that a region and communities face. 

Sincerely,

Nicholas Torres

Co-Founder/Publisher