The Introduction to Community Innovation  

In this series we will learn what community innovation is, how it has changed the way we look at community change and how you can apply different innovation methods and lenses to your work in a meaningful way.

We'll be exploring how the practice of Community Innovation can help you create effective community change, how the practice of Community Innovation relates to other community change practices, and some of the most common Community Innovation methods.

Through short videos and thoughtful reflection activities, you'll equip yourself to:

• Ask questions that help you clarify what someone else means when they use the word "innovation". 
  
  
• Decide which of Human-Centred Design, Social Labs, or Behavioral Economics approaches might be most appropriate to your context. 
  
  
• Use the lenses of Human-Centred Design Social Labs or Behavioral Economics to identify new ways of approaching your community change challenge. 

Throughout this course, we'll be looking at a variety of principles, tools, and sources for inspiration. As we look at each, we'll ask

• Does this lens help us see new ways to approach innovation?
  
  
• Do the principles of this approach feel appropriate and inspiring?
  
  
• Can this augment and support community wisdom?
  
  
• What types of problems is this not well-suited for?

Lesson 1: This is Community Innovation

Central Ideas

In our first session we ask what is and why we use Community Innovation. We will explore local expertise, innovation methods and review three Community Innovation methods.

Lesson 2: Putting people at the centre of innovation

Human-Centred Design

In our second session we unpack what Human-Centred Design is and how it might change the way you approach Community Change work.

 
Lesson 3: Creating spaces and places for experimentation

Social Labs

In our third session we analyze Social Labs, how they have made an impact, and how they can be utilized in your Community Change work.

Lesson 4: Small changes for big impact

Behavioral Economics

The fourth session introduces us to Behavioral Insights/Behavioral Economics and identifies how we can use these methods in our Community Change work.

Lesson 5: Building your innovation toolkit

Perspectives, Mindsets, and Strategy

In the final session we will be exploring the nuances of Community Innovation and discussing how best to use these lessons in your work going forward.

Do you have any questions?

Please reach out to isaac@tamarackcommunity.ca at any time for support.