Center for Social Innovation Initiatives (CSI)

Creating social innovation.
I want future children to say, "Thank you for leaving us a great society."

What is Social Innovation?

At CSI, we define innovation as follows:

1. Development of new products

2. Development of a new production method

3. Development of new markets

4. Acquiring new suppliers

5. Establishment and restructuring of the new organization

6. Social and personal transformation

We believe that management that solves or prevents social problems and innovation are compatible, and in fact, we believe that a management style that solves or prevents social problems is the source of innovation.

Therefore, we refer to "innovations that take into account diverse stakeholders or are involved in solving social issues" as "social innovation."

CSI, while based at the university, is engaged in various actions to create social innovation for both students and the local community.
Through these actions, we hope to leave a sustainable society for future generations.

About CSI

We connect diverse people and intellectual resources both inside and outside the university, fostering and supporting individuals who are challenging themselves in social innovation. We cultivate an ecosystem where ambitious people can tackle social issues, and contribute to building a sustainable world for the future by steadily increasing the number of companies and jobs where young people want to live and work.

Main duties

Tackling social issues
Support for business owners and founders

Support for innovation creation and entrepreneurship through human resource development, including the Shinshu Social Innovation Academy.
Open innovation support for businesses and other organizations
Networks that foster innovation
Support for promoting the SDGs, etc.

Collaboration with the local community

Dispatch of lecturers to councils and corporate training programs, conclusion of comprehensive solidarity agreements, etc., as a point of contact for collaboration with external organizations.
Collaborative public lectures (holding public lectures where students and residents learn together), etc.

Message from the Center Director

Connecting diverse people and organizations to create new value.
________________________________________________________________________________ ＿＿＿＿＿

Associate Professor Azuma Toshiyuki Director of Center for Social Innovation Initiatives

One of the major roles of Center for Social Innovation Initiatives (CSI) is,
Our core principle is "connecting various people and organizations." We connect businesses, local governments, NPOs, and other stakeholders in the community and society, creating spaces for collaboration and generating new value. A key feature of CSI is that we utilize the knowledge that universities possess in this value creation process and provide opportunities for students to participate.
In the six years since its founding, CSI has produced many students who will forge the future through practical experience in society and their local communities. To cultivate the ability to create new local communities, CSI will continue to provide a place for students to take on challenges.

SSIR article about the first director of the center, Professor Etsuka Omuro
[Stanford SOCIAL INNOVATION Review]