Clusters and smart cities are well aligned with the modern approach of “Open innovation” which depends on the strong interaction between RDI entities, dynamic entrepreneurship, public administration, and civil society. Social innovation is a challenge for clusters and smart cities as well as for Romania. Clustering and smart cities are team activities and need a common approach in the regional innovation system. Clusters are drivers for social innovation in smart cities and offer solutions to main topics such as: governance, society, mobility, safety, sustainability, circular economy, economy & data & technology. Social innovation is a complex process, which results from the interaction of many entities, public and private, over an extended period. The paper intends to focus on the linkages that involve social relationships or networks that produce benefits for the members and cities of the cluster and on measures focused on the importance of social innovation that could determine the reduction of the gap between Romania and the other EU Member States. From a methodological point of view, the research paper encompasses 4 components:1) Clusters and smart cities development in Romania and promotion of social innovation 2) New methods to assess the cluster and smart city impact on innovation, economic growth and social integration, including the testing of methods at the level of the pilot cities Cluj, Timisoara, Alba Iulia, Oradea, Brasov, Iasi, Piatra Neamt 3) Expected results using specific tools for the new methods developed and large scale dissemination activities including: the elaboration of a Guide on social innovation in clusters and smart cities in the near future; the creation of a national platform for collaboration on social innovation and social entrepreneurship in Romania. 4) Conclusions on clusters and smart cities willingness to embrace this concept of social innovation primarily because there is a new sense of urgency in the need to find solutions to many of the societal problems.