Social Innovation Responsive Environments NETwork

The main aim of the SIRENE proposal is to support the growth of social innovation ecosystems delivering eco-friendly and sustainable community-based services for SHAFE (Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments) implementation in Europe, by providing a workable framework for investment and the broad adoption of high-quality smart living solutions, combining the housing sector and ICT infrastructure.

There have been several initiatives and previous CSAs aiming to promote innovation and support stakeholders to increase investments in relevant societal areas, often providing support measures to different actors such as webinars, trainings, workshops, twinnings. However, their impact usually runs shorter than desirable in the mid- and long-term. SIRENE identifies a diverse approach: connect stakeholders by having them working together towards a Social Innovation framework and supporting tools, claiming that this joint collaborative and co-creative work will:

• Increase awareness of innovation actors on social innovation concepts, methods and he skills to leverage them.

• Make social entrepreneurs aware of potential business opportunities, funding and investment around SHAFE.

• Create alliances and synergies between different stakeholders within ecosystems and between ecosystems.

• Ensure that business actors have access to social innovation and entrepreneurial knowledge.

• Unleash the potential of social innovation ecosystems on SHAFE.

The desired impact of the SIRENE proposal is to improve the wellbeing and housing conditions of the European population by empowering social and private entrepreneurs.

SIRENE leverages on the networks and outcomes of the SHAFE Network and the COST Action19136 NET4Age-Friendly (SHINE and AFE coordination) the ECTP and Homes4Life (Tecnalia), the Thematic Inovation Ecosystem on Housing and Health (ECHA and ISRAA), as well as the European Reference Framework on Smart Age-Friendly Housing, the Green Deal and H2020/HE ICT funded projects.