Components of social entrepreneurship
Any business has many components of activities that can determine its social orientation. It is possible to define a social enterprise and distinguish it from an ordinary business or charitable foundation after researching its components.
Social problem
A real situation or a condition of its occurrence, perceived by individuals and/or a significant part of society as threatening certain values important to them and requiring immediate change. Social problems include socio-economic (poverty), environmental (threat of extinction of animals/plants, disasters, pollution), etc. A social entrepreneur is one of the first to identify the issue and suggest ways to solve it.
Values
Norms, ideals of morality, patterns of behavior, generally accepted requirements approved by public opinion that motivate people to act and unite the community. A social enterprise changes people's attitudes and behavior, and can create new values and meanings. Key messages should contain a strong and understandable message for the general public.
Self-sustainability
A business model for the production and sale of goods/services that generates profit (income) and ensures the financial stability of the enterprise.
Social goal
A picture of the desired collective future, the end state of the situation, which the social enterprise aims to achieve.
Innovation
A new approach to solving a social problem that is more effective, impactful, sustainable or equitable than existing approaches. The novelty of the solution or the way social entrepreneurship works is considered in the context of the area of application of the solution and general international practice.
Community involvement
Communication with the local population and uniting the community around common values to solve a social problem. It is impossible to solve people's problems separately from these people. A social enterprise builds trusting relationships with the community, involves it in discussing problems and possible solutions.
Entrepreneurial approach
The problem is transformed into a task and the search for the best economically feasible solution.
Social impact
Positive changes in society that a social enterprise creates in accordance with the declared purpose of its activities. The impact is measured over a period of time, according to predefined indicators.