Module 1
Reading 1: The Rise of Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Startups
Source: AI Contentfy
Link: https://aicontentfy.com/en/blog/rise-of-social-entrepreneurship-and-impact-startups
Overview: This article explores the growing trend of social entrepreneurship and impact startups globally. It discusses the motivations behind these ventures, their societal contributions, and the challenges they face in establishing sustainable business models. The reading highlights how social entrepreneurs innovate to address social issues while generating economic value. Take 10 minutes to read the article and answer the questions below:
- Question 1: What are some primary motivations that drive individuals to pursue social entrepreneurship, as discussed in the article?
- a) Financial gains
- b) A desire to create meaningful social impact
- c) Corporate sponsorship opportunities d) Trends in consumer behavior
- Question 2: Which of the following challenges do social entrepreneurs often encounter when trying to achieve sustainable growth?
- a) Limited access to traditional funding sources
- b) Excessive public sector regulation
c) A lack of interest from potential customers d) Strong support from local communities
Reading 2: Social enterprises in the European Union
Source: European Commission
Link: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/proximity-and-
social-economy/social-economy-eu/social-enterprises_en
- Question 1: Which statement best describes the role of social enterprises in the European economy?
- a) They primarily operate in competitive markets with no social objectives.
- b) They often face resistance from traditional business models.
- c) They rely solely on donations and grants for sustainability.
- d) They are recognized for addressing social issues while generating economic activity.
- Question 2: What type of support does the European Union provide to promote social enterprises?
- a) Regulatory frameworks that limit their operations
b) Tax incentives exclusively for large corporations
c) Comprehensive funding programs aimed at enhancing their impact d) Mandatory participation in public sector contracts
Video1: What is Social Entrepreneurship?
Source: CEDRA Split
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTo0qtdVMpM
- Question 1: What realization does Mervin have about social entrepreneurship after Marge reveals the concept to him?
- a) It allows for greater personal wealth accumulation.
- b) Profits should be reinvested to improve community well-being.
- c) Social entrepreneurship is solely focused on environmental goals. d) It primarily benefits large corporations.
- Question 2: According to the video, how do social entrepreneurs measure their success?
- a) By the amount of profit generated each quarter.
b) By their ability to expand their market reach.
c) By the positive social and ecological impact they create. d) By the number of products sold.
Module 2
Articles:
Raţiu, A., Maniu, I., & Pop, E.-L. (2023). EntreComp Framework: A Bibliometric Review and Research Trends.
Sustainability, 15(2), 1285. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1285
Sanna Joensuu-Salo, Anmari Viljamaa, Elina Varamäki. (2022) Testing the EntreComp framework and its relation to
start-up behaviour in seven European countries. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357572480
Danielle Morselli, Janez Gorenc (2022). Using the EntreComp framework to evaluate two entrepreneurship
education courses based on the Korda Method. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357268962
European Commission. (2020). EntreComp at Work. Retrieved fromhttps://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/b20d7d11-db7b-11ea-adf7-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
European Commission. (2020). EntreComp PlayBook. Retrieved fromhttps://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/a9772d3b-dd0b-11ea-adf7-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
Ratto-Nielsen, J. McCallum, E. Bacigalupo, M. (2019). Inspired by Entrecomp: Diving Into The European
Entrepreneurship Competence Framework In A 75 – 90 Minute Workshop. https://shorturl.at/F7O4W
McCallum, E., Weicht, R., McMullan, L., & Price, A. (2018). EntreComp into Action: Get Inspired, Make it
Happen. Publication Office of the European Union. Retrieved from https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC109128
Videos:
European Commission. (2018). EntreComp Video Series. [Video playlist].YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGI5zHT2w7jAPsfSjWfatN4tlxJhvbj7-
European Commission. Entrepreneurship4all. (2024). EntreComp – Generating ideas and opportunities to create
value. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TJOjfRS9is
European Commission. Entrepreneurship4all. (2024). EntreComp – Taking action on ideas. [Video].
Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwhGH9S4nUM
European Commission. Entrepreneurship4all. (2024). EntreComp – Recognising resources to make ideas happen.
[Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKu7t_aZKRc
Module 3
Articles:
BBC News. (2018, June 24). Social enterprises: Giving back to the community. BBC News, available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-44547269
Dolacis, V., Gūtmane, S., & Rode, D. D. (2021). Social entrepreneurship as a form of social work for the social
cohesion of society. Tiltai, 87(2), 80–97. 10.15181/tbb.v87i2.2319
Germak, A. J., & Singh, K. K. (2010). Social entrepreneurship: Changing the way social workers do business.
Administration in Social Work, 34(1), 79–95. 10.1080/03643100903432974.
OECD/European Union. (2017). Boosting social enterprise development: Good practice compendium. OECD
Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264268500-en
Tan, N. T. (2004). Social entrepreneurship: Challenge for social work in a changing world. Asia Pacific Journal
of Social Work and Development, 14(2), 87–98. 10.1080/21650993.2004.9755956
Videos/Movies:
Cory Ames (2023, September 20), 7 Inspiring Examples of Social Entrepreneurship in Action (2024)
[Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNpkvp5uHwo
Kelly, G. (Director). (2020). The New Breed: The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgEBSZzFPqA
Miller, M. M. (Director). (2014). Poverty, Inc. [Film]. Factuality Films. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3581436/
Real Value (2013). Directed by Jesse Borkowski. Greystreet Films. Available at https://youtu.be/ez3CWXQrgVo?feature=shared
Podcast:
Moreno, B. (Host). (2024, September 13.). The struggles of a social work entrepreneur: Investing in your business
(Episode 187) [Audio podcast episode]. In The Social Work Rants Podcast. Spotify. Retrieved
January 27, 2025, from https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/basmoreno/episodes/The-Struggles-of-a-social-work-entrepreneur-Investing-in-Your-Business–Episode-187-e2oba5p/a-abhae1p
References
Arena, M., Azzone, G., & Bengo, I. (2015). Performance measurement for social enterprises. VOLUNTAS:
International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 26, 649-672.
Dacin, M. T., Dacin, P. A., & Tracey, P. (2011). Social entrepreneurship: A critique and future directions.
Organization Science, 22(5), 1203-1213.
Defourny, J., & Nyssens, M. (2013). Social innovation, social economy and social enterprise: what can the
European debate tell us. In The International Handbook on Social Innovation: Collective Action, Social Learning and
Transdisciplinary Research (pp. 40-52).
Dominelli, L. (2004). International social work education at the crossroads. Social Work & Society, 2(1), 87-95.
European Commission (2020). Social enterprises and their ecosystems in Europe: Comparative synthesis report. Authors:
Carlo Borzaga, Giulia Galera, Barbara Franchini, Stefania Chiomento, Rocío Nogales and Chiara Carini. Luxembourg:
Publications Office of the European Union. Available at https://europa.eu/!Qq64ny
Germak, A. J., & Singh, K. K. (2009). Social entrepreneurship: Changing the way social workers do business.
Administration in Social Work, 34(1), 79-95.
Kerlin, J. A. (2010). A comparative analysis of the global emergence of social enterprise. VOLUNTAS: International
Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 21, 162-179.
Smith, W. K., Gonin, M., & Besharov, M. L. (2013). Managing social-business tensions: A review and research
agenda for social enterprise. Business Ethics Quarterly, 23(3), 407-442.
Module 5
Reading 1 – https://www.thebrokeronline.eu/article/doing-social-business-right/
- How does the Social Business Model Canvas (SBMC) support social enterprises in achieving both their financial and social goals, and what limitations might this model face in practice?
- What role do transparency and accountability play in the success of social enterprises, and how can businesses balance these with the need for competitive advantage?
Reading 2 – https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/10/when-corporations-and-social-enterprises-work-together-they-can-change-the-world/
- How might a partnership between corporations and social enterprises accelerate global progress on sustainability goals, and what are examples of such collaborations that inspire this vision?
- In what ways can corporations leverage their resources to help social enterprises scale their impact, and what challenges might arise in aligning corporate and social goals?
Video 1 – Overview of the Social Business Model Canvas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aPGXqLZCS0
- How does the Social Business Model Canvas approach the concept of “value proposition,” and why is it critical for social enterprises to define this clearly?
• What insights or examples from the video can help a social enterprise differentiate its social impact from purely commercial value in its business model?
