Activating Ecosystems for Change by Enriching the Civic “Soil” for Social Innovation. The Wiener Klimateam Project as a Case Study

Through the analytical exploration of the ‘Wiener Klimateam’ case, the chapter exemplifies the pivotal role of a sound democratic ecosystem to activate social innovation (SI) and drive urban transformation towards climate neutrality. It shows the relevance of integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives to address complex climate challenges, leveraging citizen engagement and democratic processes. This case study shows how comprehensive analysis, stakeholder engagement, and participatory design can catalyse systemic changes within city infrastructures, emphasising inclusivity and equitable change. The initiative’s innovative approach, including a citizens’ jury, showcases the transformative potential of a thriving democratic ecosystem and SI in operationalising sustainable urban governance and fostering collaborative, cross-sectoral strategies. By doing that, the chapter aims to derive insights that are potentially scalable and extendable, focusing on the dynamics of urban innovation. It will examine how democratic ecosystems have been established and SI operationalised to address the challenges that cities face on their journey towards climate neutrality, bridging the gap between theoretical discourse and practical application. The analysis is presented against the dimensions of theoretical constructs derived from Chaps. 2 and 3 and summarised in a framework to explore the operational challenges and opportunities in real-world contexts.