SSO

Why? Developing aid often lacks sustainable impact on poverty. SSO believes that “giving money away” is not the solution to many social problems, it results in dependency instead of self-sufficiency. We believe that social entrepreneurship can be an answer. Social entrepreneurs find profitable, innovative and powerful solutions for social issues worldwide, using a business methodology. It has to result in both social and financial returns.

Added value? To support social entrepreneurship, there is a need for a new model: most international organisations too often are afraid of taking risks; financing both the development of ideas and the implementation of projects is necessary to come to new innovative business plans. SSO is wiling to fund social entrepreneurs without a proven track record. SSO provides services in the whole chain, including the management of an international network for social entrepreneurs and providing access to potential financers.

Focus? Social entrepreneurs need to contribute to solutions of social issues, such as poverty, to accomplish a society with equal opportunities for all. SSO does not have a geographic focus.

Goal? To introduce and support social entrepreneurship to contribute to solutions for social problems worldwide.

4 STEP STRATEGY

1. Promote social entrepreneurship at multi-level

2. Identify innovative social entrepreneurs, whose ideas match the SSO criteria (see below). These entrepreneurs are not yet supported by other organisations.

3. SSO will select social entrepreneurs who are eligible for a grant in order to develop their business plan. This grant is an investment in their ideas and potential; entrepreneurs will develop a solid business plan, conform SSO quality checks.

4. On the basis of the quality of the investment plan, SSO will decide if project support can be given. Accordingly the social entrepreneurs will be given access to the SSO network of potential investment partners. If an entrepreneur develops a business plan without SSO support, the plan will still be eligible for project support.

Use of Network Each step will be supported by relevant network partners (e.g. universities, Enviu, foundations, etc.). These partners are represented in a network for Social Entrepreneurship. Goal of the network is to exchange knowledge, experience and to create a meeting space.

Role of SSO SSO will create a supportive environment for social entrepreneurship, detect social entrepreneurs, issue grants for business plan development, facilitate contact with advisory bodies, guarantee the quality of business plans and provide access for entrepreneurs to potential financing and vice versa, bring solid business plans to the attention of other investors.

CRITERIA FOR FUNDING

SSO is able to make additional funding accessible for Social Entrepreneurs, based on their social business plans. SSO has formulated a definition of social entrepreneurship and some guidelines as to what requires a social entrepreneur and a social enterprise.

Finding profitable, sustainable and innovative solutions for social or environmental issues, using a business methodology. Financial value is a precondition, with the real value-creation being the improvement of social infrastructures and environmental matters.

1) Issue- driven. Precondition for a social entrepreneur is that the idea derives from the urge to find solutions for social or environmental issues.
a. A social issue is the general situation in which marginalised groups are being discriminated or ignored in their rights.
i. Creating employment is a direct result of setting up any business; a social enterprise must create a surplus to that.
b. An environmental issue is regarded as the ongoing threat to the environment in which all species live, as a result of climate change, pollution of inefficient use of resources
2) System change. The social entrepreneur provides a new method to change the existing status quo of inequality and inequity. Social systems are transformed.
3) Innovation. The entrepreneur is innovative.
4) Business-methodology. The method of operating is based on the business discipline; it is demand driven and financially sustainable. Whilst operating necessary risks are taken and profit is made.
a. Value creation is interpreted as: Financial, Social and Environmental Return on Investments (not necessarily at the same time).
5) Up-scalability. The method of the entrepreneur is up scalable; it can be used in different, comparable situations. It is a blueprint.
6) Impact. The impact of the social entrepreneur must be significant in addressing social and environmental structures.