The Skoll World Forum on social entrepeneurship

What is social entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurs are essential drivers of innovation and progress. In the business world they act as engines of growth, harnessing opportunity and innovation to fuel economic advancement. Social entrepreneurs act similarly, tapping inspiration and creativity, courage and fortitude to seize opportunities that challenge and forever change inequitable systems.

Distinct from a business entrepreneur who sees value in the creation of new markets, the social entrepreneur aims for value in the form of transformational change that will benefit disadvantaged communities and, ultimately, society at large. Social entrepreneurs pioneer innovative and systemic approaches for meeting the needs of the marginalised, the disadvantaged and the disenfranchised – populations that lack the financial means or political clout to achieve lasting benefit within current systems.

While social entrepreneurship isn’t a new concept, it has gained renewed currency in a world characterised by a growing divide between the haves and the have-nots. Social entrepreneurs at the forefront of the movement are developing models to solve some of the world’s seemingly intractable problems.

Feedback

“As a grassroots activist, this whole arena is new to me yet one in which I am propelled by circumstances. The biggest value for me was to see a new set of people as my peers in this new possibility of roles that are coming my way. It’s a network I would like to be part of and share and learn in.”

Sheela Patel – Director, SPARC

Produced by Skoll Centre for social entrepeneurship and Skoll foundation

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