What Is “Collective Impact”? A New Approach in Korea’s Social Economy

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 Recently, the concept of collective impact has been gaining attention in Korea’s social economy and social impact sectors. Rather than individual organizations tackling complex social problems alone, collective impact emphasizes cross-sector collaboration to achieve shared outcomes. This post explores how collective impact is taking root in Korea and why it matters.

 

What Is Collective Impact?

 

The term collective impact was first introduced in 2011 by the Stanford Social Innovation Review. As the name suggests, it refers to a structured form of collaboration built around a common agenda to create social change. Unlike loose partnerships, collective impact is a strategic alliance based on shared goals.

 

According to SSIR, there are five key components of collective impact:

 

👉A common agenda

👉Shared measurement systems

👉Mutually reinforcing activities

👉Continuous communication

👉A backbone support organization

 

Why Does Korea Need Collective Impact?

 

It has become increasingly difficult for individual organizations to solve today’s rapidly evolving social issues. As social problems grow in complexity, isolated efforts are often insufficient. Moreover, under the previous government, budgets for social economy initiatives were drastically reduced, pushing many social enterprises to struggle with sustainability.

 

In this context, the need for solidarity among various actors in the social economy has become more urgent. Collective impact offers a framework for different organizations to align efforts toward a shared goal, generating synergy and fostering sustainable operations. This represents a shift from casual collaboration to structured cooperation.

 

Vision Declaration Ceremony of the Federation of Multi-type Cooperatives for Developmental Disabilities held in 2023. (Photo by Milly) 

Examples of Collective Impact in Korea

 

Korea has begun applying the collective impact model in various fields. One notable example is the Federation of Developmental Disability Support Cooperatives, a nationwide alliance of cooperatives focused on supporting people with developmental disabilities. The federation works across areas such as education, arts, and social integration—helping individuals with disabilities live fully as members of society.

 

Another example can be found in a small province where a project has been running through August this year. In this initiative, local organizations collaborate to create customized jobs for elderly women while also providing care services to other seniors. Elderly women prepare traditional Korean meals, which are then delivered to vulnerable older adults in the community. Though still in its early stages, this project showcases how collective impact can address social issues in a sustainable, locally rooted way.

 

Beyond a Trend: A Tool for Real Change

 

When collective impact was first introduced in Korea, many dismissed it as just another buzzword. However, it is now being embraced as a practical and necessary method for driving real social transformation. As of today, many social enterprises are actively using collective impact frameworks to address complex challenges.

 

Moving forward, we hope to see more initiatives rooted in collective impact emerge across Korean society. This blog will continue to introduce various case studies where this model is being applied in meaningful and innovative ways.

 


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