IE Center for Social Innovation & Sustainability

Driving Impact through Knowledge Generation and Partnerships

WHO WE ARE

Established in 2017 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, the IE Center for Social Innovation and Sustainability is a dynamic hub dedicated to advancing IE University's core values. Our primary focus lies in championing Social Innovation and Sustainability, nurturing vital research in these domains, and fostering international collaborations that amplify our reach, impact, and influence on a global scale.

OUR MISSION

At the core of our mission lies the aspiration to cultivate a culture of collaboration. We are dedicated to facilitating the seamless exchange of knowledge and resources, nurturing a vibrant synergy within our IE community while extending our collective influence across a diverse global network of partners.

OUR VISION

We eagerly anticipate forging partnerships with organizations that share our vision and are willing to support our existing projects. Additionally, we look forward to initiating dialogues on novel opportunities that can enrich knowledge dissemination, spur knowledge generation, and harness the potential of our expansive global network and applied expertise.

"We collaborate with our partners to generate the knowledge and tools that will boost their positive impact in the world"

Concepción Galdón - Director of the IE Center for Social Innovation & Sustainability

WHAT WE DO

We look forward to working with partner organizations willing to support the projects already on our roadmap and initiate conversations about additional opportunities. Our work is guided by three fundamental pillars:

RESEARCH

Knowledge Generation

We begin with Research. This is where our journey starts — by generating knowledge through applied research. We focus on real-world challenges, diving deep into areas of social innovation and sustainability. Our research isn’t just theoretical; it’s designed to create practical, actionable solutions that can be implemented by businesses, governments, and communities alike, driving meaningful change.

EDUCATION

Knowledge Dissemination

Once we generate these insights, the next step is Education. It’s not enough to just discover solutions—we ensure this knowledge is disseminated and shared. We leverage IE University’s academic resources and global networks to make this information accessible to a wider audience beyond our institution. Spreading this knowledge empowers others to adopt sustainable practices and drive innovative solutions within their own contexts.

LEVERAGE

Our Global Network & Applied Experience

Lastly, we focus on Leveraging our Global Network and Applied Experience to prepare the next generation of leaders. Through the design and implementation of impact projects, we provide capacity building and accessible education, equipping our partners, clients, and beneficiaries with the skills and tools they need to lead long-lasting change in their communities. Ensuring that our work has a ripple effect, enabling others to carry forward the momentum we’ve built.

OUR PROJECTS

Delve into the collection of transformative projects that our center has carefully selected, supported, and completed. Each initiative highlights our strong commitment to innovation, societal impact, and the spread of knowledge.

SOCIAL INNOVATION AWARDS

Social Impact Through Innovative Solutions.

Social innovators strive to solve social and environmental issues, fostering systemic change, sustainability, and community empowerment. In partnership with Fundación MAPFRE, we've supported innovators for the past seven years, offering funding, training, mentoring, and companionship. This initiative targets three key business areas: Health improvement and digital technology (e-Health), Safe & Sustainable Mobility, and the Silver Economy.

Since 2017, we've collaborated with global innovators from Latinamerica, the U.S., and Europe. Our mission is to identify disruptive and innovative solutions with long-lasting social impact. Finalists receive personalized mentoring from IE Business School faculty experts, coaching sessions, and international media exposure. Winners in each category are awarded €40,000 to scale their solutions and join the exclusive Red Innova community of social entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, and continuous learning.

To know more about the Fundación MAPFRE Social Innovation Awards, we invite you to visit the project’s official website here.

360º PROJECT

Empowering Vulnerable Businesses for Success.

Launched in July 2023, with the support of J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation and the Madrid City Council, the 360º Project aims to assist small business owners in Madrid in managing the challenges posed by the current economic crisis. Fully funded by the organizers, the initiative offers holistic support to strengthen resilience, focusing not only on digital skills but also on business and financial management to ensure long-term competitiveness.

The program engages 200 small businesses in two cohorts. The first cohort, with 100 participants, began in October 2023, while the second started in May 2024, and will conclude in April 2025. Participants receive tailored guidance to develop or enhance their business strategies, fostering sustainable growth in the local economy.

To know more about the 360 Project, we invite you to visit the project’s official website here.

TRAVEL4IMPACT

Building a Community for Like-minded SMEs in the Travel and Tourism Industry.

Travel4Impact is a joint initiative by Amadeus and IE’s Center for Social Innovation and Sustainability, launched in 2021 to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the travel and tourism sector. The program helps businesses place social and environmental sustainability at the heart of their operations. Starting in Spain, it has grown regionally and became a global initiative in 2024, currently running its fourth edition with 40 active participants. Fully funded for participants, the program equips SMEs to maximize their impact on local communities, economies, and destinations.

Participants undergo a six-month online training program focused on sustainability, innovation, and digitalization, supported by group tutoring and networking sessions. After completing the program, they join the Travel4Impact Network, a global community fostering collaboration and best-practice sharing. Network members benefit from specialized training, collaborative “CoLab Sprints,” expert mentoring from Amadeus employees, and visibility opportunities. This holistic support enables SMEs to strengthen their strategies and maximize their positive impact.

To know more about Travel4Impact, we invite you to visit the project’s official website here.

GROUND UP DIALOGUES

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DEMOGRAPHY OBSERVATORY

Deepening in Fundamental Demographic Questions and their Socioeconomic Implications.

Our research is primarily oriented towards practical applications, with a strong focus on diversity and social innovation within the corporate sphere. We exploit available data and actively seek to fill gaps through methods like surveys, focus groups, and proprietary tools that we develop in collaboration with corporate partners.

We encourage you to explore our latest research which examines the long-term care ecosystem in Latin America and The Caribbean. It features 3 main sections: A theoretical framework for the development of an entrepreneurial long-term care system adapted to the context, roles and actors of the adapted model and a model plan for the development of an entrepreneurial long-term care ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean.

To know more about the Observatory of Demography, we invite you to visit the project’s official website here.

JOIN4IMPACT OBSERVATORY

Technology-based Impact.

Launched in 2023, the Join4Impact Observatory focuses on exploring the potential of new technologies to generate positive social impact. Through applied research and multidisciplinary collaboration, the observatory aims to promote proactive impact management as a key tool for driving technology-intensive, innovative projects. Its core activities include generating knowledge, fostering innovation, sharing insights, and disseminating best practices.

Our first report published examines the state of the art in impact measurement with technology. It features three sections: a conceptual framework, a mapping of the impact measurement ecosystem, and an analysis of opportunities, barriers, needs and solutions for technology integration. The findings, derived from focus groups and research, will serve as a foundation for future studies and tools to advance impact measurement practices.

To know more about the Join4Impact Observatory, we invite you to visit the project’s official website here.

PUENTES DE TALENTO

Bridging Innovation Exchange

The IE Center for Social Innovation and Sustainability plays a pivotal role in the Puentes de Talento program, an initiative by the Madrid City Council aimed at fostering the exchange of innovative and entrepreneurial talent between Madrid and Ibero-American countries. The center provides advanced entrepreneurship training through an eight-week program with 65 hours of instruction. This program equips participants with the skills to enhance their projects and foster collaboration between Ibero-America and Madrid.

OMT PANAMÁ

Innovative Community Tourism

The IE Center for Social Innovation and Sustainability participated in the Innovative Community Tourism Experiences Competition as a technical advisor, bringing its expertise in sustainability and innovation. It contributed to designing evaluation criteria and processes to promote responsible tourism practices that benefit local communities. Additionally, it provided workshops and guidance to semifinalists, ensuring their proposals aligned with the SDGs and the preservation of Panama's cultural and natural heritage.

EXPANSIÓN AWARDS

Sustainable Economy

The IE Center for Social Innovation and Sustainability served as the technical secretariat and coordinator for the IX Edition of the Expansión Awards, focusing on the transformation towards a sustainable economy. Its mission is to collaborate with partners to promote social innovation and sustainability as key drivers for building a better future. In this capacity, the center oversees the organization and execution of the awards, ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives.

WE ARE ALSO PROUD OF

IMPACTING ACROSS CONTINENTS

"Each of us has the ability to unleash our creativity to find solutions that lift up people and communities"

Muhammad Yunus - Peace Nobel Price Laureate

MEET THE TEAM

Meet the dedicated team at the heart of our center, driving innovation and embodying our mission every day.

IE University