IRES Social Entrepreneurship Programme

Social entrepreneurship plays a vital role in addressing societal challenges and creating positive social impact. This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to become effective social entrepreneurs. Through a blend of theoretical concepts, practical case studies, and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to identify social problems, develop innovative solutions, and build sustainable ventures that address social and environmental issues. By the end of this programme, participants will be prepared to launch and scale social enterprises that create meaningful change in their communities.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand Social Entrepreneurship: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept of social entrepreneurship, its principles, and its role in driving social change.
2. Develop Entrepreneurial Skills: Develop practical skills in entrepreneurship, including idea generation, business planning, marketing, and financial management, tailored to the context of social enterprises.
3. Identify Social Problems and Opportunities: Learn how to identify pressing social and environmental problems and explore opportunities for innovative solutions.
4. Build Sustainable Ventures: Acquire knowledge and strategies for building sustainable social enterprises that generate both social impact and financial returns.
5. Foster Collaboration and Impact: Explore ways to collaborate with stakeholders, leverage resources, and maximize the impact of social enterprises on communities and society at large.

Organization Benefits:

1. Enhanced Social Impact: Investing in social entrepreneurship programmes enables organizations to support initiatives that address pressing social and environmental challenges, creating positive change in communities.
2. Innovation and Creativity: Social entrepreneurship programmes encourage innovation and creativity in finding solutions to complex social problems, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization.
3. Brand Reputation: Organizations that support social entrepreneurship initiatives enhance their reputation as socially responsible entities, attracting customers, partners, and investors who align with their values.
4. Employee Engagement: Participation in social entrepreneurship programmes can boost employee morale and engagement by providing opportunities for employees to contribute to meaningful social causes.
5. Sustainable Development: Social entrepreneurship programmes contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals by addressing social, environmental, and economic issues in a holistic manner.

Target Participants:

This programme is designed for aspiring social entrepreneurs, change-makers, community leaders, and individuals passionate about making a positive difference in society. Participants may include students, professionals, non-profit leaders, and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and sectors.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

• Understanding the concept and principles of social entrepreneurship
• Role of social enterprises in addressing social and environmental challenges
• Examples of successful social entrepreneurship ventures

Module 2: Identifying Social Problems and Opportunities

• Methods for identifying pressing social and environmental issues
• Assessing the feasibility and scalability of social enterprise ideas
• Exploring opportunities for innovative solutions and impact-driven ventures

Module 3: Entrepreneurial Skills for Social Ventures

• Developing business models for social enterprises
• Marketing strategies for social impact ventures
• Financial management and sustainability planning for social ventures

Module 4: Building Sustainable Social Enterprises

• Strategies for building partnerships and collaborations
• Impact measurement and evaluation in social entrepreneurship
• Scaling social enterprises for greater impact and sustainability

Module 5: Creating Change and Impact

• Leadership and storytelling for social entrepreneurs
• Advocacy and policy engagement for social change