RSA Networks
NESTA Connect is partnering with the RSA in a project that will use collaboration to stimulate new models of social innovation.
The RSA 360 project focuses on the RSA's network of over 26,000 fellows, which includes:
- chief executives from the top FTSE 200 companies;
- visionaries from all areas of education;
- innovators and entrepreneurs in business, science, ethics and the environment;
- emerging leaders in the areas of IT, new media and the entertainment industry;
- renowned artists from the world of literature, film, TV, music, dance and visual arts;
- cutting-edge journalists and commentators;
- leaders in the voluntary sector;
- award-winning designers and architects.
All RSA fellows have achieved, or demonstrate the potential to achieve, success in their area of expertise. They are united in their desire to change society for the better.
How does it work?
The 360 project taps into this massive latent potential of the Fellowship and supports them to develop new networks, which aim to deliver sustainable social change.
NESTA Connect will help to set up a team of external advisers to develop a set of pilot networks. Each network will be nurtured individually and encouraged to 'connect' with each other and other partners to generate action and learning.
For the RSA, the project flows directly from the belief that a better future depends on citizens closing the social aspiration gap - the gap between the world we say we want to live in, and the world we are likely to build.
For NESTA Connect, this is an opportunity to explore different types of collaborative innovation, and identify connections between these collaborations and successful innovation.
Next steps
RSA 360 will run over 12 months from late November 2007. By spring 2008 we hope to see outcomes being delivered by around 30-50 new networks.