Social entrepreneurship – what an idea?
Social entrepreneurship is combining creative enterprising with a social idea, to simultaneously realize economic and social goals. It is aimed at activities, which aid in solving social causes, but also generate income, which is then invested in overcoming social difficulties and solving the social issues of different groups at risk of isolation. The key moment in developing a business, based on a social cause, is in finding the balance between the positive social change, which is sought, and the organizations’ financial stability.
The SELF project is focused on social entrepreneurship, on the one hand, looking for an alternative for youth employment and models for support of youth inclusion in the labor market. On the other, providing financial stability and sustainability of the activities of NGOs.
The broad and unclear boundaries of the definition for “social entrepreneurship” pose the need to clarify the concept, which the project proposed in an international context. In addition, experience in working business models and options for their adaptation to the needs of the target groups and organizations was exchanged.
The SELF project provided an opportunity and international context for clarifying the boundaries of the overly broad definition of “social entrepreneurship”, contributed to the increasing of knowledge and practical business skills of NGO tems, enriched the methods and tools they can use in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, aided in the exchange of good practices, sustainable business models and know-how, to multiply the idea of a business, based on a social cause.
The project’s dea follows the goal of creating a new generation of entrepreneurs with a modern practical training, who can operate with the opportunities and resources in the civic sector, activel use and develop the social capital in the shape of today’s youth, develop and implement alternative and innovative social services, create social enterprises, as forms of employment for vulnerable groups.
Social entrepreneurship – what an idea?
Social entrepreneurship is combining creative enterprising with a social idea, to simultaneously realize economic and social goals. It is aimed at activities, which aid in solving social causes, but also generate income, which is then invested in overcoming social difficulties and solving the social issues of different groups at risk of isolation. The key moment in developing a business, based on a social cause, is in finding the balance between the positive social change, which is sought, and the organizations’ financial stability.
The SELF project is focused on social entrepreneurship, on the one hand, looking for an alternative for youth employment and models for support of youth inclusion in the labor market. On the other, providing financial stability and sustainability of the activities of NGOs.
The broad and unclear boundaries of the definition for “social entrepreneurship” pose the need to clarify the concept, which the project proposed in an international context. In addition, experience in working business models and options for their adaptation to the needs of the target groups and organizations was exchanged.
The SELF project provided an opportunity and international context for clarifying the boundaries of the overly broad definition of “social entrepreneurship”, contributed to the increasing of knowledge and practical business skills of NGO tems, enriched the methods and tools they can use in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, aided in the exchange of good practices, sustainable business models and know-how, to multiply the idea of a business, based on a social cause.
The project’s dea follows the goal of creating a new generation of entrepreneurs with a modern practical training, who can operate with the opportunities and resources in the civic sector, activel use and develop the social capital in the shape of today’s youth, develop and implement alternative and innovative social services, create social enterprises, as forms of employment for vulnerable groups.
Training: social entrepreneur
Within the framework of the project, from 3rd to 9th of May 2017, a
seven-day training course was held in the town of Dobrinishte, Bulgaria.
The entire training team was from Bulgaria. Combining experts on different subjects contributed to the depth of the training and enriched it in content, emotion and methodology.
The participants in the training were youth workers, leaders of NGOs, mentors, mediators, coaches, consultants, with strong motivation to develop their knowledge, skills and competences in the field of social entrepreneurship, to develop programs and projects. The majority of them had a specific entrepreneurial idea, which they were planning to start or develop further. The participants had varying degrees of experience in working with youths from groups at risk of exclusion.
The training program was designed by VIA CIVIC’s team, in collaboration with the professional educators on the team. It is tailored to the pre-researched expectations and shared experience of the participants. The methods we used are from the sphere of non-formal education, learning by doing, brainstorming, discussions, role playing, practical exercises, improvisational theatre techniques, etc.
The logical frame of the program included:
- creating a favorable learning atmosphere in the group;
- clarifying main concepts, related to social entrepreneurship;
- developing entrepreneurial qualities such as creative thinking, effective communication, negotiating, presenting convincingly, leadership. Techniques for overcoming the fear of mistakes, inner blockages and fears;
- increasing empathy and becoming acquainted with the profile of youths from disadvantaged groups, clarifying their needs and abilities;
- clarifying the concept of “social innovations” and developing skills to generate innovative ideas;
- business modeling with tools like Business Model Canvas – practice;
- presenting ideas for social entrepreneurship to investors;
- exchange of experience, good practices and know-how.
Training: social entrepreneur
Within the framework of the project, from 3rd to 9th of May 2017, a
seven-day training course was held in the town of Dobrinishte, Bulgaria.
The entire training team was from Bulgaria. Combining experts on different subjects contributed to the depth of the training and enriched it in content, emotion and methodology.
The participants in the training were youth workers, leaders of NGOs, mentors, mediators, coaches, consultants, with strong motivation to develop their knowledge, skills and competences in the field of social entrepreneurship, to develop programs and projects. The majority of them had a specific entrepreneurial idea, which they were planning to start or develop further. The participants had varying degrees of experience in working with youths from groups at risk of exclusion.
The training program was designed by VIA CIVIC’s team, in collaboration with the professional educators on the team. It is tailored to the pre-researched expectations and shared experience of the participants. The methods we used are from the sphere of non-formal education, learning by doing, brainstorming, discussions, role playing, practical exercises, improvisational theatre techniques, etc.
The logical frame of the program included:
- creating a favorable learning atmosphere in the group;
- clarifying main concepts, related to social entrepreneurship;
- developing entrepreneurial qualities such as creative thinking, effective communication, negotiating, presenting convincingly, leadership. Techniques for overcoming the fear of mistakes, inner blockages and fears;
- increasing empathy and becoming acquainted with the profile of youths from disadvantaged groups, clarifying their needs and abilities;
- clarifying the concept of “social innovations” and developing skills to generate innovative ideas;
- business modeling with tools like Business Model Canvas – practice;
- presenting ideas for social entrepreneurship to investors;
- exchange of experience, good practices and know-how.
Shared
We gathered the answers participants gave to the question “What was the training for you personally?”
The team of VIA CIVIC Association, coordinator of the “Social Entrepreneurship as Local Force (SELF)” project, Contract 2016-3-BG01-KA105-035279, bears full responsibility for the information, published on the organization’s webpage.
Shared
We gathered the answers participants gave to the question “What was the training for you personally?”
The team of VIA CIVIC Association, coordinator of the “Social Entrepreneurship as Local Force (SELF)” project, Contract 2016-3-BG01-KA105-035279, bears full responsibility for the information, published on the organization’s webpage.
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