Inovação social no Nordeste brasileiro : mapeamento das iniciativas no contexto do Sul global

Abstract

Contemporary challenges – such as deep structural inequalities, precarious access to essential resources, and socio-environmental crises – demand innovative responses that promote systemic transformations in social arrangements. In this context, Social Innovation (SI) has gained prominence in the field of International Relations, especially due to its capacity to address such challenges through the creation and implementation of new products, services, and organizational models aimed at collective well-being. Accordingly, this study aims to map and analyze SI initiatives developed in the Northeast region of Brazil between 2019 and 2024, seeking to understand their dynamics and impacts. Methodologically, it is a mixed-methods research that combines a systematic literature review, Social Network Analysis (SNA), and the empirical mapping of 304 projects supported by public and private institutions. The analysis is structured around three axes: (i) identification and characterization of SI initiatives; (ii) visualization of connections and collaborative patterns among the actors involved; and (iii) evaluation of the social, economic, and environmental impacts generated. The results highlight the formation of thematic clusters, particularly in areas such as sustainable agriculture and inclusive education, and reveal a high degree of connectivity and potential for cooperation among participants. It is thus observed that Social Innovation in Brazil’s Northeast acts as a driver of structural transformation, promoting alternative and collaborative models of regional development in the Global South.