Psychosocial Skills Training for Social Innovation: Analysis of Three Programs for Different Stages of Development of Social Innovators

Abstract

Social Innovation, as planned behavior, can be developed from specific training programs. The aim of this study was to determine the distinctive profiles of social innovators in three phases and to establish the basic training objectives for each stage. Three groups of participants answered a questionnaire: a) teenager enrolled in a one-year program of leadership training, b) students of a university course on social entrepreneurship and innovation, and c) social innovators applying for competitive funds. Differences among the three groups were identified in terms of values, motives, attitudes and social entrepreneurship intention. With this information, a series of guidelines are proposed in order to develop the competences and skills required at each stage.