Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainability (S.E.S.)

The Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainability (S.E.S.) project was created in response to the growing challenges our societies face today. These include an expanding intercultural dimension often associated with increasing social conflicts, integration difficulties, and a rise in poverty and inequality, leading to the marginalization of many communities. Unemployment, particularly among youth, exacerbates this issue, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction and skepticism about the future.

This initiative was born from the belief that social entrepreneurship is a crucial tool in today’s society and that equipping young people with social entrepreneurial skills can significantly improve their career prospects while fostering inclusive and cohesive communities. Social enterprises provide an innovative model of civic engagement, merging public participation and market dynamics with a focus on social impact rather than profit maximization.

Project Objectives

• Fostering Social Entrepreneurship: We aim to educate participants on the characteristics, benefits, values, and success factors of social entrepreneurship. The project will provide a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to social entrepreneurship, where participants learn from both national and European resources.
• Empowering Marginalized Youth: The project focuses on supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those from rural or isolated areas, providing them with knowledge, skills, and confidence to develop entrepreneurial ventures that benefit their communities.
• Strengthening Employability: By addressing youth unemployment, the project offers innovative solutions to improve employability, especially for those with fewer opportunities. This includes training on business development, leadership, and access to EU funding sources.
• Building Sustainable Communities: Social entrepreneurship is positioned as a vehicle for creating sustainable, inclusive communities. Through this project, participants will learn how to launch and manage social enterprises that address local challenges while promoting economic and social cohesion.

Activities and Methodology

The S.E.S. project consists of a series of interactive learning experiences, combining both formal and non-formal educational techniques. These activities include:

• Workshops and Training Courses: Participants will be trained in various aspects of social entrepreneurship, including how to develop business plans, access EU funding, and implement leadership strategies.
• Peer Learning and Exchange of Best Practices: Participants will engage in discussions and exchanges with peers and experts from different European countries, allowing them to compare their experiences and adapt best practices to their own local contexts.
• Local Impact Projects: Participants will apply what they have learned by developing and implementing social entrepreneurial projects in their own communities. These projects will focus on addressing local challenges, such as unemployment, social exclusion, or environmental sustainability.
• Cultural and Social Entrepreneurship Modules: The project includes specific training on cultural entrepreneurship, equipping participants with the skills to develop businesses that promote local culture while fostering social and economic development.

Target Audience

The project primarily targets youth workers, youth leaders, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from rural areas or facing social exclusion. By focusing on these groups, the project aims to create a lasting impact not only on the participants themselves but also on the communities they serve.

Expected Results and Long-term Impact

• Increased Employability and Entrepreneurial Skills: By the end of the project, participants will have acquired practical skills in social entrepreneurship, improving their employability and empowering them to create social businesses that address the needs of their communities.
• Development of Inclusive Communities: The project will promote social cohesion and intercultural dialogue by encouraging participants to develop projects that foster inclusivity and address societal challenges, such as poverty and unemployment.
• Sustainable Social Enterprises: Through the local impact projects, participants will gain hands-on experience in setting up and running social enterprises, which will have a long-lasting effect on their communities by providing sustainable solutions to local problems.
• European Collaboration and Networking: By working with transnational partners, participants will gain a broader understanding of the European social entrepreneurship landscape, expanding their networks and fostering future collaboration across borders.