Social innovation and austerity governance in Athens and Madrid: Rethinking the changing contours of policy and practice

The notion of social innovation (SI) has received significant attention in academic debates and policy, denoting the potential for bottom-up ‘bottom-linking’ sociospatial transformations solutions to societal challenges times crises. This article takes on a critical approach how SI is being employed institutional channels urban by suggesting reconceptualization different dimensions or forms it may acquire context austerity governance. engages with case studies policy initiatives developed cities Athens Madrid post-economic crisis period, order contribute new line investigation into through ‘co-paradigm’ reconfigures meaning practice SI, tapping innovative dynamic civil society. It then critically evaluates possibilities limitations grassroots innovations influence governance an era austerity.