Innovation can transform the local business landscape and enrich our public services
SCY is committed to working hand-in-hand with organisations to facilitate innovation – both on a strategic level and in day to day working.
Focusing on economic impact
SCY has shown that innovation can bring substantial social and economic rewards. By focusing on the economic impact of working innovatively, SCY is currently working alongside City of York Council to strengthen York’s economy by:
- Encouraging innovative companies to move to York
- Helping innovative companies to gain investment
- Supporting innovative companies to develop and grow
- Increasing the skills-base in the city
- Creating high value jobs in York
- Developing economic efficiency
Strategically growing innovation
To be effective, innovation needs careful planning and coordination. SCY is a leading force in helping York to grow its innovation focus, through:
- Comprehensive specialist events and networking
- Innovation training workshops to up-skill City of York Council, SMEs, universities and Third Sector organisations
- Providing specialists at events to extend the reach of innovation
- Developing relationships with other innovative cities
- Building relationships with ‘best in class’ innovators from around the world
- Communicating the latest innovation intelligence and opportunities to the community
Workforce development within City of York Council
City of York Council acts as the engine of the city. By encouraging the council to adopt innovative approaches, SCY is helping them to work more effectively: which ultimately enriches the whole community. Over the next few years, we are helping to embed the following innovative practices at City of York Council:
- Changing a hierarchical business model to one which is more ‘networked’
- Embedding ‘in-house’ specialist innovation capability
- Encouraged a cultural shift to one which is more responsive and proactive
- Reduced overheads and making CYC savings
- Developed a suite of innovation tools and techniques for use in CYC
- Building innovation training into staff career professional development routes
Engaging the whole community
Innovation can break down the barriers that have traditionally held back progress. Rather than simply working with council employees and with big business to bring about change, SCY involves the whole community.
SCY is helping to:
- Involve SMEs and micro businesses in the innovation processes
- Increase shared ownership over city challenges
- Move away from service delivery to outcome facilitation
- Explore methodologies to measure the social impact of projects
Read the GeniUS! York Case Study
"SCY has played a major and inspirational role in the creation of the GeniUS! Open Innovation process. [GeniUS!] is connecting York's most creative and innovative players, allowing us to share insights and co-develop long-lasting solutions to the city's social and economic challenges." Kersten England, Chief Executive, City of York Council.
Contact Us
T: 01904 21 71 01
E: innovate@scy.co.uk
