The project "Innovation in local government" is a response to the social challenges related to demographic change in Poland and is in line with the specific objective ESF+.CP4.K. According to the forecasts of the Central Statistical Office (GUS), between 2022 and 2040, the percentage of people over 70 years of age will increase from 13% to 18%. At the same time (from 25% to 31%) the number of people between 50 and 69 years of age will increase. In particular, in smaller centres and areas where depopulation is amplified by a negative balance of internal migration, this will mean a significant decrease in the capacity to provide quality social services. One of the biggest challenges facing local government is limited access to qualified staff able to manage local public service systems (including social services). In addition, there is a problem of insufficient supply from service providers in local markets. This results in an increase in the activities of strong external entities that use subcontractors, limiting the possibility of creating stable local social service providers. It is necessary for JSTs to prepare for these challenges by introducing innovative forms of delivery of social services – both in the form of technical and organisational solutions with elements of cross-sectoral involvement, with particular emphasis on social economy sector entities. The aim of the project is to use the potential of previously developed and pre-tested social innovations, which were the subject of work in the previous perspective of the implementation of European funds. The project assumes the use of already existing innovative solutions developed and proven in practice with the support of social innovation incubators in the OP KED (micro-innovation) and at the same time providing JTS with new innovative products – services for residents and operating models. The subject of the project activities will be scaling selected social innovations in local government units, strengthening the capacity of local governments to respond to the needs of regions by providing new tools and services, and thus diversifying social services provided by local governments. The project will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028 and will cover the following tasks: Zad. 1. Developing a list of innovations – agreeing and adopting a list of solutions to be proposed to JTS for scaling within the project. Zad. 2. Development of innovations to be implemented by local government units – development of implementation packages, development of products, estimation of implementation budgets, linguistic and graphic development of implementation packages and preparation of accompanying educational videos - so that solutions are ready for implementation by local government units. Zad. 3. Granting of grants for the implementation of innovation by local government units – carrying out recruitment activities, organising 3 calls for proposals, evaluating applications, awarding, monitoring and settling awarded grants. Zad. 4. JTS support in the organisation of the process of change and innovation implementation – providing training, mentoring and expert support to grantees in the process of innovation implementation. The project is to enable the widest possible use of innovative solutions developed under POWER, which are a response to the diagnosed needs of local government units in the area of social policy. It will allow to expand the offer of services provided by local governments using selected micro-social innovations, ready to implement tools in various areas such as: education, services for the elderly, employment or integration of people with disabilities. As part of the project, at least 75 local government units will implement innovations, and at least 15 social innovations will be scaled up.