Introduction

Social entrepreneurship is a growing field that combines the passion for social impact with the discipline of entrepreneurship. This 5-day training course provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools to start and scale social enterprises that create meaningful and sustainable change. Whether addressing social, environmental, or community challenges, social entrepreneurs leverage innovative solutions to address pressing issues, all while ensuring financial sustainability. By the end of this course, participants will have the foundation to build social ventures that drive positive social change.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the concept and principles of social entrepreneurship and how it differs from traditional business models.
• Learn the process of identifying and addressing social problems with sustainable solutions.
• Gain insights into the business models, financial strategies, and scaling methods used in social enterprises.
• Understand how to measure the impact of a social enterprise using tools such as Social Return on Investment (SROI) and impact assessment.
• Learn how to create a social impact strategy and incorporate community involvement into social ventures.
• Gain knowledge about fundraising and partnership building to support social ventures.
• Develop practical tools for sustainability, scaling, and long-term growth of social enterprises.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Aspiring social entrepreneurs who wish to create businesses with a positive social or environmental impact.
• Non-profit leaders and NGO founders looking to incorporate sustainable business practices into their social missions.
• Investors, donors, and philanthropists interested in funding social ventures.
• Community organizers and activists who want to develop entrepreneurial solutions to societal problems.
• Business professionals interested in incorporating social impact into their work.
• Students and educators exploring the intersection of business and social change.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

Session 1: What is Social Entrepreneurship?

• Defining social entrepreneurship and the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit.
• Key differences between social enterprises, non-profits, and traditional businesses.
• The role of innovation in addressing social problems.
• Understanding impact vs. profit and why both matter.
• Hands-On: Personal Reflection: Participants reflect on how their own passions align with social entrepreneurship.

Session 2: Identifying Social Problems and Opportunities

• Methods for identifying pressing social issues that need innovative solutions.
• Understanding the root causes of social problems and developing strategies for addressing them.
• The importance of community involvement in identifying and solving local problems.
• Hands-On: Problem Identification Exercise: Participants identify a social issue they are passionate about and brainstorm potential solutions.

Day 2: Developing the Social Venture Idea

Session 1: Creating a Business Model for Social Impact

• Understanding different business models for social enterprises (e.g., non-profit, for-profit, hybrid).
• How to integrate social mission into the core of your business.
• Key aspects of a business plan for a social enterprise: Vision, Mission, Market, Impact, and Sustainability.
• Hands-On: Business Model Canvas: Participants fill out a canvas outlining the key elements of their social enterprise.

Session 2: Value Proposition and Customer Discovery

• Understanding the value proposition of a social enterprise and its social impact.
• The importance of customer discovery: Who is your target audience, and how does your solution benefit them?
• Developing a strategy for market research, understanding your audience’s needs, and tailoring your solutions.
• Hands-On: Value Proposition Exercise: Participants develop a clear value proposition for their social enterprise.

Day 3: Financing Social Ventures

Session 1: Sustainable Funding Models

• Overview of funding options for social ventures: grants, social impact investing, crowdfunding, venture capital, and loans.
• Understanding the role of impact investors and philanthropy in funding social enterprises.
• How to pitch a social business idea to investors.
• The role of financial sustainability in maintaining a social enterprise over the long term.
• Hands-On: Funding Strategy Exercise: Participants map out potential funding sources for their venture.

Session 2: Social Impact Measurement and Reporting

• Understanding how to measure and report the social impact of your enterprise.
• Introduction to tools like Social Return on Investment (SROI), Theory of Change, and impact assessments.
• Communicating your social impact to stakeholders: Investors, donors, and community members.
• Hands-On: Impact Metrics Exercise: Participants develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for their social venture’s impact.

Day 4: Scaling Social Enterprises and Building Partnerships

Session 1: Scaling Your Social Venture

• Strategies for growing a social enterprise while maintaining its social mission.
• Key considerations for scaling: organizational capacity, market expansion, and team development.
• The role of technology and innovation in scaling impact.
• Hands-On: Scaling Strategy Workshop: Participants brainstorm ways to scale their social ventures.

Session 2: Building Partnerships for Success

• How to identify and engage strategic partners: NGOs, governments, businesses, and other stakeholders.
• The importance of collaboration and alliances in scaling impact.
• Effective strategies for negotiating and forming successful partnerships.
• Hands-On: Partnership Mapping Exercise: Participants create a list of potential partners and collaborators for their ventures.

Day 5: Legal Structures, Sustainability, and Long-Term Growth

Session 1: Legal Structures for Social Enterprises

• Overview of the legal structures available to social enterprises (e.g., 501(c)(3), B-Corp, Social Purpose Corporation).
• Understanding the legal considerations and responsibilities when setting up a social enterprise.
• Balancing the social mission with business operations within legal frameworks.
• Hands-On: Legal Structure Decision: Participants assess and decide on the best legal structure for their own social venture.

Session 2: Sustainability and Long-Term Growth

• Building a sustainable business model that continues to create impact over time.
• Strategies for ensuring long-term financial health and impact sustainability.
• Planning for the future: succession, scaling, and evolving your social enterprise.
• Certificate of Completion Ceremony