The paper presents preliminary research results from a consortium to study transformative social innovation in the domain of home care. The aging population is an evident long-term development in Europe, driven by historically low fertility rates, increasing life expectancy and, in some cases, migratory patterns. Projections indicate that the aging of the European population will quicken in the coming decades. The existing models of care are progressively encountering challenges (European Union 2021), underscoring the necessity for well-coordinated and high-quality services to address the specific needs and risk factors that impact older individuals. Informal care provided by family and friends is essential for supporting and and enhancing the quality of live of those with functional limitations, and should be fostered and enhanced to enable them to remain in their homes for as long as possible, a preference that is held by the majority of individuals, However, public policy has been slow to support a shift from institutions and hospitals to home-based settings embedded in caring communities (Genet et al. 2011). In all European countries, informal care accounts for most care-hours, while comparative studies in the field of home care are still rare, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries (Genet et al. 2011). Consequently, the focus of this study is on home care for the elderly in caing communities. In these regions, significant challenges and demands for innovative solutions that transform the institutional setting of care are evident.
Social innovation initiatives have the potential to drive societal transformation, particularly within the domain of care. This paper explores the role of networked interventions in fostering social innovation for home care services and their impact on on the care system. By examining case studies from nine European countries, the research highlights how collaborative networks can address care as a complex social challenge and contribute to broader social transformation.

The research focuses on two types of organizational education interventions: accelerator programs (6 cases) and system innovation labs (3 cases), conducted under the project titled "Caring Communities." The interventions aim to implement and replicate Caring Community approaches to improve home care in Germany, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.

The research is funded within the EU Interreg Danube Programme.

A multilevel approach is employed to elucidate the dynamics and impact of transformative social innovation (TSI) in the domain of care.The project is predicated on an analysis of disparate welfare regimes and institutional environments, with a focus on the interrelatedness of SI initiatives and their networks.The term "transformation" is defined as second-order change, which implies the alteration of meta-rules or paradigms of a particular system (Levy 1986: 19). The adoption of a network approach in the analysis of TSI signifies the recognition of two characteristics: the presence of dynamic processes and the existence of agents that undergo rapid change. This recognition implies the existence of relationships among multiple actors who function at various levels. The multi-level perspective employed in this study, drawing from sustainable transition studies (Geels 2002), enables the analysis of landscape developments at the macro level, such as climate change, meso level sociotechnical regimes, including sectoral developments, and micro level niches, such as new products.The study utilizes a combination of case study analysis, qualitative interviews, and critical turning points analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms behind successful interventions.

We expect key findings to indicate that these networked interventions not only enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of care services but also promote inclusivity and community engagement. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on social innovation by offering practical insights and policy recommendations for stakeholders in the care sector. The importance of fostering collaborative networks to drive sustainable societal transformation and improve the quality of care is underscored.

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