This paper introduces and describes with several examples a new research and innovation instrument and approach called Social Space for Research and Innovation (SSRI) that is generating good results in rural and urban communities working on ehealth and independent living. The SSRI is a multi-agent approach that places the beneficiary social communities at the forefront of the research and innovation process and where human, social, technological, economical, ethical and legal factors are considered all the way through said process. SSRI approach is growing rapidly at a national level in Spain and it is rapidly moving into the European and International scene.
