The future is collective action unlocking systemic change through united social innovation
- Aiyana Lacota
- May 14
- 4 min read
In an era marked by interconnected crises, from climate change to social inequality, the urgency to innovate beyond siloed approaches has never been more critical. At the heart of this shift lies collective social innovation—a transformative method that aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Spearheading this movement is the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, which continues to amplify the voices and work of social innovators around the globe. With a renewed focus on collaboration across sectors, the Foundation is proving that sustainable development is not only a policy goal but also a shared global responsibility.
The challenge: Complexity demands collaboration
As the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs looms, progress on several indicators remains slow. According to the UN’s 2023 SDG Progress Report, over 50% of SDG targets are moderately or severely off track. Among these, Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities, Goal 13 – Climate Action, and Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals stand out as particularly challenging. Traditional development models, often driven by isolated organisations and short-term funding cycles, are proving inadequate in addressing these layered issues. This is where the concept of collective action—a principle rooted in many indigenous and civil society traditions—offers a critical pathway forward.
The Schwab Foundation has responded to this need by launching a new award category in 2024: Collective Social Innovation. This initiative seeks to recognise those pioneering collaborations that are reshaping how social change is designed, implemented, and sustained. The Foundation’s October 2024 Collective Action Convening was a pivotal moment, gathering innovators, policymakers, and funders to map the current landscape and identify opportunities for deeper integration.
Innovation through collective action
From regenerative agriculture in Latin America to circular supply chains in Southeast Asia, collective innovators are delivering tangible, scalable outcomes. One such example is the Alliance for Inclusive Development in Kenya, where NGOs, government agencies, and private enterprises have co-created a platform to deliver essential services—education, health, and digital connectivity—to rural communities. This initiative supports SDG 1 – No Poverty and SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, showing how integrated approaches can accelerate progress.
Similarly, in India, the Social Alpha Foundation has partnered with over 150 stakeholders to support clean energy access in off-grid regions, contributing directly to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy. Their model, based on shared funding and decentralised technology deployment, demonstrates how collective models not only reduce duplication but also build resilience in vulnerable systems.
Looking forward: Systemic support and global engagement
The future of social innovation lies in building ecosystems, not isolated successes. Collective approaches offer significant advantages for funders, businesses, and governments alike. For investors, they represent a means to maximise long-term social return on investment by supporting interconnected systems. For businesses, collaboration ensures that corporate sustainability goals align with real community needs, enhancing both brand value and impact.
Governments, meanwhile, benefit from streamlined policy implementation and cost efficiencies. As policy alignment becomes a key metric for development success, working with organised collectives allows for more cohesive interventions across sectors like education, agriculture, and health, all essential to achieving the Global Goals.
At its core, the Global Society is built on the premise of shared purpose and cooperative action. The Schwab Foundation’s work exemplifies this ethos by nurturing networks of trust and facilitating knowledge exchange across borders. By supporting over 400 social innovators in more than 190 countries, the Foundation has become a catalyst for SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, reinforcing that lasting change is not just local but profoundly global.
The concept of collective social innovation is not merely a strategy—it is a necessity. As the world grapples with overlapping crises, this integrated approach holds the potential to foster durable, inclusive solutions that respond to the full complexity of today's global challenges.
Embracing a collective future
The Schwab Foundation’s commitment to advancing social entrepreneurship and innovation offers a compelling model for how collective action can drive systemic transformation. In doing so, it sets a powerful precedent for governments, businesses, and civil society to follow. Embracing collaboration over competition and co-creation over command, collective social innovation marks a vital step toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As we navigate the path ahead, it becomes ever clearer that the solutions to our most urgent challenges lie in shared leadership, coordinated action, and inclusive innovation. It is only through such unified efforts that the global community can realise meaningful, lasting progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To support this ongoing journey and deepen the conversation around collective action, we invite you to explore the Schwab Foundation’s INSIGHT REPORT – March 2025, titled The Future is Collective: Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Society’s Biggest Challenges. This report presents key findings, emerging strategies, and forward-looking recommendations drawn from global initiatives shaping the future of social innovation.
Explore more about Schwab Foundation:
