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Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger stated that social innovations are essential for a modern and sustainable innovation country like Germany. She emphasized the need for creative and entrepreneurial solutions to address major social challenges. The establishment of the Advisory Board for Social Innovations will leverage the expertise and experience of leading international experts to support Germany’s social innovation landscape. Zarah Bruhn, Representative for Social Innovations, expressed excitement about the new advisory board, highlighting the collective knowledge and potential of the experts to inspire social innovation in Germany. She emphasized the need to harness this potential to position Germany as a pioneer in social innovation, with a focus on fostering more social innovations, startups, and capital. In September, the German Federal Cabinet approved the National Strategy for Social Innovations and Companies Oriented to the Common Good. This strategy outlines a comprehensive approach to supporting social innovations and companies that prioritize social impact. The establishment of an international advisory board is one of around 70 measures included in the strategy to strengthen networking, visibility, and expertise in the field of social innovation. The advisory board will provide valuable insights and suggestions to the Federal Research Ministry and the Federal Government to advance the implementation of the strategy. The Advisory Board for Social Innovations is a newly established body composed of eighteen experts from diverse backgrounds, including business, science, and civil society. The board’s mission is to provide expert advice to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on the implementation and further development of the National Strategy for Social Innovations and Companies Oriented to the Common Good. The board is chaired by Zarah Bruhn, Representative for Social Innovations. 
Background
About the Advisory Board for Social Innovations
The Advisory Board for Social Innovations includes the following experts:
Niklas Adalberth, Co-Founder Klarna, Founder Norrsken Foundation Stockholm
Filipe Almeida, Director Portugal Inovacao Social
Jeroo Billimoria, Founder One family Foundation India, Co-Founder Catalyst 2030
Dr. Sir Ronald Cohen, President of GSG, Co-Founder and Chair of The Portland Trust and IFVI, Co-Founder Director of Social Finance UK, USA and Israel
Sidonie Fernau, Director of the Joint Competence Center North GmbH
Nicolas Hazard, Founder and CEO INCO, Special adviser for social and solidarity economy at the European Commission, France
Lubomila Jordanova, Founder and CEO PlanA Earth GmbH, Founder Green Tech Alliance
Prof. Gorgi Krlev, Professor ESCP Business School Paris
Christian Kroll, Founder and CEO Ecosia GmbH
Dr. Anja Langenbucher, Director Europe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Prof. Johanna Mair, Professor at Hertie School, Member of the Board at Schwab Foundation, Co-director of the Global Innovation for Impact Lab at Stanford PACS, Academic editor of Stanford Social Innovation Review
Victor Meseguer Sánchez, Special Commissioner for Social Economy Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social, Spain
Felix Oldenburg, Co-Founder Project bcause, Executive Board gut.org
Helmut Schöneberger, Founder and Director UnternehmerTUM GmbH
Fabian Strüngmann, Director Salta Investments GmbH
Antje von Dewitz, CEO Vaude Sport GmbH & Co KG.
Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa, President of the German Caritas Association
Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Founder Grameen Bank, Co-Founder and Chairman Yunus Social Business, Bangladesh
Source: German Ministry of Education and Research
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