Enabling Co-Creation, Inclusivity, and Adaptability through Open Social Innovation

This paper explores how digital tools and participatory platforms facilitate Open Social Innovation (OSI) within the context of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral Cities. Focusing on the governance dimensions of openness, accountability, and power, the study examines how these elements interact to support co-creation, inclusivity, and adaptability in distributed data governance processes. Grounded in Collaborative Governance theory and recent OSI scholarship, the research draws on a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with city-level experts involved in European climate initiatives. The findings reveal that while digital tools can enhance participation and transparency, they also risk amplifying power asymmetries and governance complexity if not properly mediated. Public institutions play a key role in shaping these dynamics by acting as orchestrators of ethical, inclusive, and accountable data ecosystems. The study refines existing theoretical models by linking digital governance levers to systemic outcomes and introduces the ‘Governance Triangle of OSI’ as a visual framework for future application. Recommendations and future research avenues call for the inclusion of rural and underrepresented contexts, as well as the integration of mixed-method and longitudinal approaches to broaden the understanding of OSI’s role in urban sustainability transitions.