Social innovation in preventing homelessness amongst young people in Canada and Wales: International engagement as a key driver

Social innovation involves finding new solutions to old problems; solutions that are “more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than current solutions” (Phills et al., 2008. p.2). One of the pathways to social innovation is through international engagement and exposure to new ways of thinking and doing. Using the examples of Canada and Wales, we explore the ways in which international interactions are contributing to the transformation of how we respond to homelessness among young people, involving a shift from an emphasis in both practice and investment from a crisis response, to a stronger focus on prevention. We begin with a review of the shift to prevention in Canada and the role of international engagement, to a discussion of the flow of knowledge between Wales and Canada. We conclude with a discussion of emerging opportunities to enhance international engagement to support the shift to the prevention of homelessness among young people.