Social Entrepreneurship in rural areas
Social Entrepreneurship is an approach by individuals, groups, start-up companies or entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues.
More specifically:
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It is a distinct form of entrepreneurship, which aims to achieve a social goal in an economically viable way;
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It concerns initiatives for the development, financing and implementation of new solutions in social, environmental and cultural issues;
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It can take both for-profit and non-profit form, without changing its ultimate challenge, the achievement of a social goal. This concept may be applied to a wide range of organizations, which vary in size, aims and beliefs, clarified as Social Enterprises
Social Enterprises - with the functional assist of the appropriate tools and the active involvement of the local authorities and the local productive agencies - can contribute directly and substantially to the maximization of rural development. The potential of social entrepreneurs to engage in rural development is huge. Rural areas are often the perfect places for renewable energy facilities to be located, which translates to increased employment opportunities for the local public as well. Social entrepreneurs can aid in developing a sustainable business development model while finding the right opportunities unique to the local needs. This also helps a country focuses more on research and development, and innovations in the rural economy translate to increased development progress.
EntrepRURAL Socialy
EntrepRURAL Socialy is a Strategic Partnership in the youth field aimed at promoting the role of Social Entrepreneurship, in combination with Non Formal Education and practical learning, as a tool for enhancing social inclusion and employability of disadvantaged sectors of the youth population from rural area. The specific objectives underpinning the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy include the reduction of early leavers from education and training as well as promoting the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills/attitudes and of basic and transversal skills at all levels of European societies.
In the field of youth, in line with the proposed EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 project covers the following priorities:
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foster the inclusion and employability of young people with fewer opportunities;
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ease the transition of young people from youth to adulthood, in particular their integration into the labour market;
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develop their competences, setting quality standards, ethical and professional codes
Project aims at addressing this challenge through cooperation among countries affected by massive youth unemployment phenomena, with a concrete focus on extracting the educational potential of:
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Personal development, as an activity that empowers young people and helps them become more aware of their opportunities and resources.
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Rural Needs’ Analysis, as an approach for the identification of the grassroots local communities' needs to be catered by means of Social Entrepreneurship action.
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Storytelling, as an instrument of structuring business ideas, establishing a clear/cut identity of social enterprises and related initiatives/products as well as fostering internal cohesion through the establishment of a defined corporate identity.
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ICT, as a crucial area of expertise of a social entrepreneur profile and sector of direct entrepreneurial engagement.
Steps of project cycle will be:
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Sharing and coordinated research on the existing good practices.
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Testing and reporting: A Blended Youth Mobility involving representatives of the ultimate target group (NEETs aged 18-30) will test each Toolkit and develop the related learning outcomes in participants.
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Processing: Assessment of testing results for the production of an integrated Format combining the areas of learning addressed in the Toolkits.
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