Applying open innovation practices to social innovation initiatives: building the coalescence innovation framework for urban regeneration

Urban regeneration presents increasingly complex challenges that require inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive responses. Recent literature highlights the potential of Social Innovation to generate systemic transformation through stakeholder engagement and participatory processes, while Open Innovation provides methodologies to foster cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge sharing. However, there is still limited research on how these two paradigms can be effectively integrated and operationalized in territorial contexts. This study adopts a conceptual methodology to explore the intersection between Social and Open Innovation, with a particular focus on urban and social transformation. By analyzing key concepts such as social entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and the barriers that inhibit innovation from reaching social impact, the paper develops the Coalescence Innovation Framework - a preliminary theoretical model inspired by the physics notion of coalescence. The framework introduces three foundational components (change agents, incremental impacts, and virtuous ecosystems) to guide the development of place-based, value-driven innovation strategies. Initial comparisons with established models such as the Quadruple Helix and Urban Living Labs suggest that the Coalescence Innovation Framework may offer a more integrated and flexible approach for aligning grassroots initiatives with systemic change. Early illustrative cases, including community-based projects in Rome, indicate its potential relevance for urban regeneration. Future research should focus on empirically testing and refining the framework across different socio-territorial contexts. In particular, further development is needed to define indicators, validate its core components, and assess its applicability within policy and industry frameworks concerned with sustainability, inclusion, and regional cohesion.