Despite the progress of the last century, Britain today is still a country facing inequality, poverty, and deprivation; looming social and environmental crises; a people without trust in its commercial and political institutions; and a society that is, by turns, fragmented, passive and atomised. It is a place that requires new, innovative approaches to these deep-rooted problems.
Social entrepreneurs create such innovations, making and taking opportunities to transform their own lives and the lives of those around them. They take personal responsibility, mobilise resources, and galvanise action that leads to community engagement, social renewal and economic regeneration. They address the causes of problems, not their symptoms.
Social entrepreneurs take responsibility, involve others, and act as role models in their communities. The impact of their work and attitude has a ripple effect that results in social action, co-operation, a sense of duty, and a renewed engagement with the democratic process.
Backing social entrepreneurs with support, education, and investment has been proven to have a significant impact in changing communities: tackling poverty, delivering better services, encouraging aspiration from more diverse groups, and creating new local jobs + businesses.
Social entrepreneurship truly unlocks the talent in communities across the UK and, with long-term support from government, will flourish and grow.
Social entrepreneurs:
- Start, run and populate new social enterprises, charities and social businesses
- Respond to unmet needs in innovative, robust and sustainable ways
- Create social capital and social cohesion
- Deliver services for social change at local, national and international levels
- Develop business and life skills through learning by doing
Social entrepreneurship:
- Includes: diverse people from all backgrounds, ages, sectors and communities
- Transforms: ‘beneficiaries’ into active citizens leading social change
- Empowers: those who best understand the problem to create the solution
- Strengthens: community assets, environments and economies
- Catalyses: community involvement, engagement and responsibility
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