Leda Stott answered the question: how do partnerships contribute to social innovation?
She described how the central aim of partnerships is to draw upon the competencies of different sectors of society so that common goals can be achieved more effectively, legitimately and sustainably than when each operates separately. By sharing diverse perspectives, ideas and resources partnerships can contribute to social innovation and mainstreaming in a variety of ways: by developing new frameworks for interventions, creating new and/or improved institutions, linkages and ways or working, and changing attitudes and behaviours.
Based on her experience the recommendation she would make to decision makers is that partnerships have a key role to play in supporting social innovation and mainstreaming but greater awareness of their added value, appreciation of their challenges and the time and skills required to build them, are necessary if they are to fulfil their potential.