Social Entrepreneurship: Platforms and Programs Deserving of Grants and Fellowships
Social entrepreneurship is different from entrepreneurship. While the latter pertains to the measurement of how a company or business weights its profits, social entrepreneurship takes on the challenge of landscaping different social issues without expecting something in return.
The need for social entrepreneurs of this generation has general increased due a government’s inability to serve underserved and marginalized sectors. Sectors pertaining to at-risk teenagers, poor families, out-of-school children, and dying senior citizens are the common targets of social entrepreneurs and their riveting campaigns.
Social entrepreneurship is also a very confusing terminology to describe passionate efforts to decrease human struggles. Social entrepreneurs can also be considered as leaders and role players for non-profit organizations who work tirelessly to improve stale human condition. Nonetheless, social entrepreneurship takes on the challenge of shaping nations and aid in their positive social renovations.
The following are programs considered as social ventures that do not need the marvels of money to instill and create change:
- Renewable energy that seeks to replace fossil fuels in generating electricity;
- Construction of schools and universities for segmented youths and teenagers;
- Campaigns for the protection of vulnerable societies, particularly women and at-risk families and their children;
- Affordable health care projects for senior citizens who cannot afford expensive medicine and treatment;
- International charities that seek to improve the quality of life in third-world and developing countries; and
- National security against rebellion and other dangerous threats
Moreover, social entrepreneurs open the windows of change by:
- Creating sustainable and functional platforms that are international in focus;
- Concentrating on solutions that will bring forth long-term results;
- Promoting the importance of life; and
- Engaging in causative partnerships that will create parallel opportunities for social entrepreneurs
Many private foundations and fellowships worldwide consider social entrepreneurship as the benchmark for cultivating positive change. The Skoll Foundation, a global leader in awarding grants and forming partnerships on worthy social entrepreneurs, understands the importance of social entrepreneurship to society.
Jeff Skoll, founder of the Skoll Foundation, carefully invests in people that plant the seeds of change in different areas in different parts of the Earth. The Skoll Foundation has already awarded $250 million, and the numbers will continue to grow as long as social entrepreneurs continue their advocacy in putting an end to socio-economic struggles.
Aside from the Skoll Foundation, organizations such as Ashoka invest in people that continue to spend their time researching on ways to establish change.
