The Urban Politics and Governance of Social Innovation in Austerity

Funded period: 01/16 – 01/19
Grant value: £638,465
Lead institution: Durham University
PI: Joe Painter

While austerity can pose opportunities for social innovation as well as challenges, there is currently limited understanding of its implications for urban politics and governance. The Urban Politics and Governance of Social Innovation in Austerity examines these questions through a comparative study of the ongoing effects of austerity in Athens, Berlin and Newcastle. The project aims to identify the roles of alternative finance, grassroots mobilisation and community provisioning in meeting the needs of their citizens as traditional forms of authority are disrupted and competition for public services increases.