Social entrepreneurship currently plays a very important role for societies, as it provides solutions to real problems. Fortunately, many people, companies, and organizations take on this challenge and get involved; This represents the first step towards a better and more equitable world.
It could be said that social entrepreneurs are like bricklayers who come to ‘mend’ the holes that a community suffers, whether due to lack of skill, lack of resources or ignorance of the responsible State. These are people or groups of individuals who see a lack and try to find a solution for it.
As we have developed in other articles, there are several types of social entrepreneurship. This can be professional, private, awareness, innovation, need, etc. What is important is their purpose: far from pursuing profit, they make their resources available to do community well.
5 inspiring examples of social entrepreneurship
If you are interested in contributing to the community that you integrate and have not yet found the way to achieve it, the following list may be helpful. We are going to discuss some examples of social entrepreneurship that you could take as a basis to build your path. Join us to review them!
1. L’olivera
The cooperative L’olivera has been operating in the town of Vallbona de Les Monges, in Lérida, since 1974. The curious thing about this undertaking is not the 17 wine specialties or the 5 oils that are manufactured there, but rather a method of inclusion for people with mental disabilities.
In addition, L’olivera uses the resources of the area and industrializes them in a practically homemade way, which guarantees an environmentally friendly production. This project, which employs more than 70 people, also includes a residence and an occupational therapy service.
2. Sourcing Indonesia
The purpose of this social venture is to unify local artisans from marginalized places to distribute their creations in the most developed countries. It represents a way to comply with quality standards, in addition to boosting your sales.
3. Gram
This idea has solved an economic and environmental problem in Chile. Basically, it drives the distribution of automatic bulk dispensers of food and other products.
In this way, it contributes to families with fewer resources, who had to face the price premiums associated with products in small packages, which are the ones that tend to choose due to their lack of funds. Also, by using returnable containers, it reduces the use of polluting bags and containers.
4. Encore
Sometimes left out, the generation of baby boomers (people between the ages of 55 and 65 today) often find it difficult to find a job. Encore, an organization founded in 1997 in San Francisco and supported by donations, seeks to connect these people with scholarships, courses and jobs; a beautiful way to offer a new motivation for their lives.
5. Innova Materials
This initiative belongs to a group of young engineering students from the United States, who decided to create pipes that use antimicrobials to eliminate bacteria and improve the quality of drinking water.
Today, this six-employee company makes low-cost pipes for automakers, the US government, and other companies. 5% of its income goes to continuing research for water purification.
In short, we can conclude that social entrepreneurship is a movement that has come to the world to radically change it. When there is commitment and will for a fairer society for all, the projects are fulfilled.
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