Innovatori sociali e sviluppo locale: esperienze di economia sociale e solidale in Argentina e Brasile

The objective of this paper is to contribute to the scientific debate on “Social Innovation Hubs” with reference to the role of social innovators (Nuvolati, 2021). The purpose is to explore an aspect that seems to be little investigated, namely the role of change agents and the strategies and skills that support or do not support social innovation processes (Barbera, 2020). In order to better understand the role of social innovators, a specific experience, namely incubators, has been identified for this specific research. The results of the quantitative research conducted at the national level in Argentina and Brazil to all incubators will be presented. In addition, three case studies that are particularly relevant for the role of social innovators and for their organization and activities were identified and investigated using qualitative methodologies. The experiences investigated and the role of social innovators seem to show that through ecosystemic organizational forms of incubation of various local actors it is possible to support processes of social innovation and create local development.