Maddalen Alkorta, Patricia Canto, Mercedes Oleaga
Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 1-21
Abstract
Place-based sustainable development calls for Quadruple Helix approaches that include civil society and bring territorial actors together to achieve a common goal. Foundations, as civil society actors, hold a unique position to contribute to place-based sustainable development; however, their role remains understudied. This paper seeks to bridge this gap through four exploratory case studies that examine the unique role foundations can play in articulating Quadruple Helix approaches to place-based sustainable development. The case studies show that foundations can adopt a place-based mandate by mobilising actors and facilitating multi-actor collaboration, ultimately fostering social innovation to reach innovative solutions that address societal challenges. Regardless of their nature, it is the foundations’ territorial embeddedness that enables them to exercise such a place-based mandate. This paper provides a novel perspective by bringing European contexts and the heterogeneity of foundations to the debate on Quadruple Helix approaches to place-based sustainable development, shedding light on how they foster social innovation. Further research into other European settings and the impact of foundations’ place-based mandate could lend support to the present study.
- How to cite: Alkorta-Elzo, M., Canto-Farachala, P. and Oleaga, M. (2026). Foundations driving place-based sustainable development: catalysts for social innovation. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2026.2742194
