This paper reflects on the creation of two Innovation Zones in Belfast Northern Ireland. These Innovation Zones are partnerships between two disadvantaged communities and researchers in the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation (CESI) at Queen’s University Belfast. Many of the key challenges facing society - such as educational underachievement or poor physical and mental health - are complex and multi-faceted. In seeking to identify and develop new and innovative ways of tackling these we need to think differently and creatively. While individual programmes and social interventions are important, we also need to understand these within the broader social, cultural, political and economic contexts within which they are delivered and to begin thinking and working in more holistic ways. Through working in sustained partnership we aim to create spaces where we can question existing assumptions and practices, think creatively and develop new and innovative ways of working. We do this by drawing together and harnessing the considerable expertise that exists within local communities, the professions and the academic world. Our shared vision is that we not only achieve measurable and lasting improvements in the health and social wellbeing of both communities but that both become beacons for social innovation nationally and internationally, setting out novel and effective ways of transcending some of society's key challenges. Below are some of the ways in which we are working together:• Providing CESI’s expertise out in the community by building community leaders’/ members’ capacity in the use of evidence to inform their community development agendas.• Bringing the community expertise into CESI, for example, community partners are recognised visiting research associates/ research fellows of CESI.• Working together in meaningful partnerships, for example, by co-producing community development initiatives, collaborating on research funding proposals and academic outputs.