“In the framework of FP5, FP6 and FP7, the Socioeconomic Sciences and Humanities Programme has funded a substantial body of research on issues related to social innovation, including in the areas of theory building and conceptualisation, local welfare systems and services, poverty reduction, combating inequalities, and changing lifestyles. In view of the increasing demands coming from policymakers and practitioners alike for social innovations and the emerging possibilities for new research avenues on social innovation, including in Horizon 2020, this policy review has produced a systematic overview of research findings of 17 comparative European projects in the area of social innovation. The review focuses on how these projects address ‘social innovation’ in terms of theory, methodology, policy areas, actors, and level of analysis with the aim of bringing the results to the attention of policymakers, wider groups of stakeholders and the broader public in a comprehensive way.”