Social Innovation and Social Care: Local Solutions to Global Challenges

Javier Castro-Spila, David Alonso González (), Juan Brea-Iglesias and Xanti Moriones García
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Javier Castro-Spila: SOCINNOVA (Social Innovation Excubator), Plaza de las Cigarreras Nº 1, IMPACT HUB, 20012 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
David Alonso González: Department of Social Work and Social Services, Knowledge Institute of Technology (KTI), Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Juan Brea-Iglesias: Department of Social Work and Social Services, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Xanti Moriones García: Agenda, Innovation and Evaluation Division, Social Care and Social Policy Department, Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Txara II. Paseo Zarategi, Nº 99, 20015 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: This paper presents a case study of the Local Care Ecosystems developed by the provincial government of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) to strengthen coordination between social services, health services, and community-based initiatives at the municipal level. The initiative seeks to personalize care, enhance service integration, and support community-based care with the overarching goal of improving the quality of life for older adults living at home. These ecosystems incorporate social, institutional, and technological innovations aimed at supporting individuals who are frail or vulnerable throughout the care cycle. At present, 18 Local Care Ecosystems are active, providing services to 1202 people over the age of 65 and 167 families. The model addresses a growing global challenge linked to population aging, which has led to increasing demand for care and support services that are often fragmented, under-resourced, and constrained by outdated regulatory frameworks. These structural issues can compromise both the quality and efficiency of care for dependent individuals. Based on the findings, the paper offers policy recommendations to support the transfer and adaptation of this model, with the aim of improving the well-being of older adults who wish to remain in their own homes.

Keywords: social innovation; social care; local care ecosystem (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:8:p:479-:d:1714583

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