Blue Water, Green Tea: Socio-innovation, Taiwan

The research experiments how to revitalize a very depressed Pinglin within the eco-protected Taipei Water Special Area in the peri-urban Taiwan. Based on action research rooted in social innovation, the team develops ecological-oriented strategies to revitalize Pinglin area. Three socio-ecological innovative strategies include (1) product: eco-friendly fair-trade Blue Magpie Tea, (2) process: eco-tea tourism, (3) promise: eco-tea farmers’ children tutoring. Branding the eco-friendly “Blue Magpie Tea” has inspired the young coffee drinkers to taste tea. All actions help rebuild Pinglin’s identity as an eco-tea country.