Toolbox for the promotion of social entrepreneurship
About this good practice
The partners developed tools for the promotion of social entrepreneurship with focus on business support structures (e.g. accelerators or incubators) and financing/funding of social enterprises and entrepreneurs. To compile a comprehensive knowledge base, a toolbox has been created offering possibilities of existing tools and newly developed or adapted tools for the special needs of social entrepreneurship.
It contains financing and funding instruments targeting social enterprises and business support structures respecting the special needs of social entrepreneurs. It helps local and regional public authorities, business support organisations, development agencies and financial institutions to better support social entrepreneurship in their regions. The toolbox includes dedicated chapters to:
Business support structures - Establish motivating conditions for social enterprises
Financing schemes - Finance business support structures and social enterprises
Evaluation - Measure and monitor social impact
It is an online compendium of financing and funding instruments while respecting the special needs of social entrepreneurs. It especially supports local/regional public authorities, business support organizations, development agencies, financial institutions in
● developing/providing adequate economic and financial support possibilities,
● promoting cooperation/networking,
● improving business skills of Social Entrepreneurs,
● and meeting the needs of evaluation and monitoring.
Resources needed
The Toolbox has been created within the frames of the DelFin project financed by Interreg Central Europe Programme, in the cooperation of 8 project partners.
Evidence of success
If any interested party needs a tool for improving a business support for social enterprises, or requires guidance on how to establish support structures in rural areas, how can consulting formats and coaching be set up specifically for social enterprises, or if anyone wants to promote social entrepreneurship, can find useful tools here.
DelFin project partners shared the toolbox in a wider public, so more dozens of actors in social innovation and social entreprenurship used the tool so far.
Potential for learning or transfer
A well-designed toolbox for social entrepreneurships has the potential to catalyze learning transfer by equipping users with practical skills, fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and driving systemic change toward more inclusive and sustainable business practices. The impact extends beyond individual learners to influence organizations, communities, and societies striving for positive social transformation.