The document discusses a community innovation experiment in Waterloo, emphasizing the need for collaboration across sectors to implement novel ideas. It identifies key elements that foster an innovative culture at both individual and systems levels, such as committed individuals, a supportive funding culture, and interdisciplinary environments. Overall, it highlights the importance of a mindset open to change, learning from failure, and creating partnerships to drive positive community change.

1. A WATERLOO REGIONAL EXPERIMENT
COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS
…A DISCOVERY PROCESS
Philanthropic Foundations of Canada Conference
October 4, 2011

2. HUB OF INNOVATION

3. THE CHALLENGE
Large scale change requires broad sector
collaboration , yet the sector remains focussed on the
isolated interventions of individual organizations”
John Kayn and Mark Kramer , Social Innovation
Review, 2011.
How do we recognize novel ideas and secure the
means to implement them and reinvent the sector.

4.  Culture that is
 Risk adverse
 Mindset of
scarcity
 Competitive
SHIFT
THINKING
 A culture of
innovation,
creativity and
continuous
learning.

5. 5
WATERLOO REGION NETWORK – WHO IS MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE
IN THE COMMUNITY?
Answered Survey
Did Not Answer
Legend
From your perspective, who
are the people creating
positive change in the
community?

6. ELEMENTS OF AN INNOVATIVE CULTURE
Individual level
 A few committed individuals from diverse sectors
and unusual partnerships
 Individuals with passion who persevere in the face
of change
 Individuals at all levels of the system who don’t take
no for an answer and always look for a new
pathway
 Individuals who are comfortable dwelling between
silos/systems in a luminal space

7. ELEMENTS OF AN INNOVATIVE CULTURE
Systems level
 A funding culture that frames failure as learning and
an opportunity for the reinvention of an idea
 Incubators that provide opportunities to create
ideas and fail early
 An interdisciplinary environment that crosses
traditional boundaries
 Think and learn globally, acting locally

9. the intuition to feel a vibe before
you see it
the gut sense to know you’re
right
the passion to take the leap on
something new
the courage to stick with
something shaky
the clarity to make better
decisions faster
Empathy