Theoretical foundations for implementing the ecosystem approach to social innovation development at regional (local) level

Introduction: acting as a significant tool for resolving socio-economic problems, social innovations foster employment and public access to different services, as well as rural development. They contribute to combatting climate change, reducing inequality, enhancing partnerships for sustainable development, etc. Therefore, support for social innovation is becoming an important part of the government innovation policies at both supranational and national levels. Given the multidimensional nature of social innovation and the collaborative nature of such projects, the need for an ecosystem approach in the implementation of policies to support social innovation is increasingly emphasized. Objectives: analysis and generalization of theoretical framework for using the ecosystem approach in social innovation development. Methods: systematic and ecosystem approaches; general scientific research methods. Results: the evolution of main types of ecosystems development in socio-economic research has been considered, including the similarities and differences between ecosystems and several spatial territorial formations such as industrial areas, clusters, networks and innovative systems. Based on the study into the experience of social innovation ecosystems development, their main components, participants and creation conditions have been highlighted. The author’s definition for a socio-innovative ecosystem and its schematic structure have been proposed. The significance of the implementation of this approach at regional (local) level has been substantiated. Conclusions: the ecosystem approach is a promising direction for the development of social innovation. The development and implementation of this project within the framework of public policy contributes to more effective promotion of social innovation at regional (local) level. This also helps to achieve sustainable development goals.