Thomassen, AEds, GHRK2011-12-062011-12-062009-122009-12In Giep Hagoort and Rene Kooyman (Eds), Creative Industries: colourful fabric in multiple dimensions, ch.2, pages 26 - 3490597235389789059723535https://hdl.handle.net/10292/3044Recent publications show a relation between design, innovation and empowerment, in particular for the more digital literate people that participate in global networks. This paper investigates whether and how governments can support good design; what would a good national design policy look like; and what ought the priorities of such a policy be? The research shown in this paper aims to understand the empowerment of design and its means for social innovation. And in particular how governments can support this enabling process. Expected outcomes of this research are discussing current international governmental initiatives that will (hopefully) eventual lead to enabling social design innovation on governmental level.Authors retain the right to place his/her publication version of the work on a personal website or institutional repository for non commercial purposes. The definitive version was published in (see Citation). The original publication is available at (see Publisher’s Version).Chapter in BookOpenAccess