_Hello #JoinUs in two of India’s best kept secrets - Hyderabad and Auroville! Our flagship social entrepreneurship programme will see you collaborate, learn and design alongside grassroots organisations tackling key social issues in their communities such as environment, education, women’s empowerment, health and livelihoods. __Are you a career changer, career breaker, post-grad, sabbaticalist, corporate learner, freelancer or aspiring social entrepreneur? __Are you looking to travel with purpose? __Would you like a career changing volunteer experience that tackles real social goals with a heavy focus on two way development and sustainability? Our current volunteers have worked at L’Oreal, the UN, Innocent Drinks, Sony Playstation, Goldman Sachs and various other organisations, from finance to marketing and everything in between.
_Interested? Then apply via our online Application Form. We have two programmes running in early 2016 in Hyderabad: 30th January - 12th March 2nd April - 14th May Or you can get in touch with us at info@socialstarters.org.
_Who We Are We are _SocialStarters and we design international development, career change and social entrepreneurship volunteer programmes that support the growth of social enterprise in developing countries. Currently operating in Sri Lanka, Brazil and India, we are looking for the right people to join us on our mission! We are a small group of young professionals who have been making our move away from the corporate sector in the last few years. Since then we’ve been notching up hours in volunteer management, international development, youth media, CSR & Social Enterprise. We have over 30 years of professional experience, managing over 200 volunteers along the way.
_SocialStarters brings together two groups of people: 1. Skilled professionals who want to volunteer and gain hands on social entrepreneurship experience 2. Entrepreneurs in developing countries who lack access to training in social entrepreneurship We connect these two groups together by matching the skills and experience of our skilled professionals with the business needs of the entrepreneurs. This matching results in the development of sustainable social impact ventures and the launch of new impactful start-ups. On our programmes we train groups of international volunteers to become Social Impact Consultants, taking all the current thinking around start-up methods and social innovation to hard to reach places.
_Who We Work With We are delivering programmes throughout 2016 in Sri Lanka, India & Brazil, working with brilliant partners who aim to nurture and grow social entrepreneurship in their communities. In India we work with the country's leading social enterprise incubator - UnLtd India, based in Hyderabad and Auroville, who are supporting grassroots social entrepreneurs making a huge difference in their communities.
In Brazil we work with key organisations such as EixoRio who are playing a role in the cultural and youth development legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In Sri Lanka we work with British Council as part of their Global Social Enterprise Programme and Good Market who run a eco-friendly market in Colombo.
COLLABORATE
_Our Approach
We bring together people from different worlds to create change. We train you up to become a Social Impact Consultant, and you will work with a group of micro start-ups, young people, or existing grassroots social entrepreneurs to help them identify problems, design solutions, test ideas, build brands and get them ready for launch. You will further gain and share knowledge from your fellow consultants on a variety of different topics.
LEARN During our initial Training Week we will equip you to become Social Impact Consultants, giving you tools and knowledge that you can apply right from the start of the programme. You’ll be introduced to social entrepreneurship in a global and Indian context - getting inspired by incredible people doing amazing things, start-up methods, cross cultural working and consultancy tools. The learning doesn't end there. In addition to immersing yourself with your client work, you will participate in weekly half-day sessions to further your personal development, social enterprise and business start-up knowledge.
DESIGN _SocialStarters gives you the tools and inspiration to design change in your own lives as well as others. Whether you want to develop your own start-up ideas, turn your passion into a business or move into a more meaningful career, we create space for you to explore your values and what it is that makes you tick so that you can return home feeling ready to make your next move.
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Working with _SocialStarters pushed me in many ways that I will continue to benefit from for a long time after this programme. From working abroad, experiencing a new culture (both socially and workwise), learning about social entrepreneurship and working/living with a diverse mix of talented people. _SocialStarters Graduate, Hyderabad, February 2015
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A very intense, mind-blowing and productive six weeks with like-minded people who are not only passionate about social enterprise and career change, but who have also enriched my life in so many other ways and personal experiences. The _SocialStarters six week experience is a professional and personal development programme like no other - no where else can you travel learn and grow in such a humancentric way. If you didn't want to change at least your corner of the world when you started, you will by the time you leave!
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Andrea Braune, Environmental Management Student Auroville, August 2015
_Case Study: UMEED, Hyderabad Cohort February 2015 Consultant: Emma Wilson UMEED was founded by two young women, Gauri and Udita, who train women from the poorer communities in Hyderabad on how to make eco-friendly, simple and beautiful household products out of recycled materials. By selling these products the women can then start to contribute to their household income, thus positively impacting the lives of their families. Through weekly workshops, Udita and Gauri empower these women by targeting the following 3 important areas: 1) Teaching life skills such as budgeting, planning and collaboration 2) Altering mindsets from oppressive to progressive ones 3) Giving women exposure to opportunities they would not otherwise get.
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When I heard that I would be working with UMEED, focusing on their branding, business strategy and building a website, I was thrilled! Over the last 5 weeks of working together Umeed have made progress around many areas of their business; building a business strategy, focusing on the team structure, implementing a new financial forecasting tool and most excitingly the prototype for their website is almost ready to be launched!! Gauri and Udita’s determination, dedication and passion towards Umeed shines through and I feel incredibly privileged to have worked with them.
_What You Would Learn You will gain hands on experience of working with a start-up (that’s us!), joining many other alumni who have become part of our start-up journey. Our collaborative accelerator programme sees international volunteers become _SocialStarters, taking all the current thinking around social innovation and design thinking to hard to reach places, developing sustainable social impact ventures along the way. The idea is that the skilled professionals (that’s you!) return to your communities, motivated and inspired to take the next step in your social impact career journey. We’ll be supporting you with career coaching to enable you to feel ready to tackle your ‘what next’. This programme means you can travel with purpose. Over the six weeks, you’d collaborate, learn and design solutions to real social challenges in India alongside likeminded, talented, international peers. You’d meet incredible social entrepreneurs who are creating impact both locally and nationally, and you would take part in workshops and sessions that broaden your knowledge and experience of start-up methods and social entrepreneurship.
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I’ve attended dozens of training courses and workshops in my time, and I have to say that the format, style and quality of the training has been exceptional. I’ve learnt more than I ever could have imagined on topics such as social enterprise, lean start-ups and the local market. It’s been a fully rounded and immersive experience.”
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Paul Goff, Former Supply Chain Consultant, Deloitte, UK. Hyderabad, February 2015
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This week was really amazing - packed with so many topics, I learned a lot! The group was amazing, with all our different background we can learn so much from each other, I enjoyed all of our discussions and conversations! 10/10. Frauke Seewald UX Designer Auroville, October 2015
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Social Starters gives you the chance to spend time learning and living with a bunch of amazingly talented people, working alongside social entrepreneurs putting their hearts and souls into brilliant projects impacting other peoples lives for good. What’s not to like? You simply can’t put a price on this type of experience.
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_SocialStarters Graduate Hyberabad, February 2015
_What YoU Will Do Within six weeks you will have the opportunity to develop yourself personally & professionally as well as working to make an impact on a local social entrepreneur's organisation. Here are just some of the things you will be doing:
_ Training Week _Volunteer with a Social Entrepreneur _Excursions & Trips _Weekly Workshops _1 to 1 sessions with Programme Manager _Networking & Talks _Visits to meet Social Entrepreneurs
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We have the most incredible range of talent within the room, covering almost every topic you can imagine, from developers to entrepreneurs. It’s been incredible getting to know each persons background and I can tell that I will be lucky enough to gain something insightful from each one of them.
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Emma Wilson, Former Brand Controller, L’Oreal, UK. Hyderabad, February 2015
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My experience in India with SocialStarters has been nothing short of incredible. I took on this journey looking to learn more about social enterprise, entrepreneurship, all in a new place far away from home, and it’s exactly what I got. I’ve worked with some incredible people, and have learned so many valuable skills that will stick with me my entire life. This trip was worth every penny spent, and I have no regrets about participating in this experience. Would recommend it to anyone looking for something 'different' in their lives, and want to take part of something more meaningful.
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_SocialStarters Graduate, Hyderabad, February 2015
hyderabad
Hyderabad is India's fourth largest city and has no shortage of some of the country's richest culture. Sample some of India's spiciest Hyderabadi biriyanis, hike the crumblingly ancient Golconda Fort, or get your stardom as an extra in a Tollywood (Telangana Hollywood) film. Additionally, India's cosmopolitan vibe makes access to nightlife, gyms, and other familiar amenities possible. The social entrepreneurial scene in Hyderabad is progressive and revolutionary and we’ve worked with ambitious citizens who have come up with products and services to tackle issues related to urban development, women disenfranchisement, autism, and technology. There’s a buzz around the start-up scene in the city and it’s very easy to make contacts and friends through networking, attending events and meeting people whilst you’re out and about.
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I had not ever heard of Hyderabad prior to this programme, but what I found was a fascinating, chaotic, vibrant city without the masses of tourists. Its location in South-Central India made it the perfect base for my travels to Goa, Rajasthan, and the deep South.
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Juan Galan, McGill University Graduate Hyderabad, February 2015
Auroville has an incredibly fascinating heritage and its roots are embedded in experimentation - in this case, it came out of the simple ideal that a harmonious community could be created from scratch. Backed by UNESCO and the Indian government, the creators of the contemporary township of Auroville wanted to create a new civilisation that was as dynamic and it was multi-cultural. To this day, Auroville is a living testament to sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, and social needs of its population. It’s been described by locals as “a place to ditch the life you’ve lived, and live the life you’ve always wanted, even if for a few days; here your conviction to follow your passion holds more value than your salary or title."
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Social Starters in Auroville was a wonderful experience. To spend five weeks making a difference to people's livelihoods was inspiring. Our Social Starters trainers were inspiring, and to have the opportunity to learn about different start up methods was great. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and feel I've made some life long friends.
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Ruth Haynes, Engineering Consultant Auroville, August 2015
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Auroville is not like the India you or I would imagine, it's rural, half of its residents are foreigners, and it has a lot of organic-style restaurants. It is a great place to relax and reflect and explore on a bicycle. If you want the urban life, French-influenced Pondicherry is just a few kilometers away along with long, never-ending beaches.
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There is something addictive about this area of India. Kate Taylor, Senior Project Manager for Housing Regeneration Consultancy Auroville, August 2015
Auroville
Programme Fee: £1780.00 _Includes: _Accommodation (42 nights) _Training Week (6 x 1/2 day workshops in Social Entrepreneurship, Start Up Methods, Consultancy Tools & Techniques, Design Thinking and Cross Cultural Working) _A copy of our Consultancy Guide _A copy of the _SocialStarters Start Up Manual _Personal development 1:1s _3 x career coaching workshops _Teaching materials for your clients _Any programme related printing, photocopying, workbooks _Travel within the community to visit clients _Return airport transfer from and to nearest local airport _WiFi _Local sim card (bring your own phone) _Weekly phone credit budget _Weekly excursions
_Doesn’t Include: _International flights _Tourist visa _Vaccinations _Insurance
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#JoinUs
'Life’s too short' is repeated often enough to be a cliche, but this time it’s true. You don’t have enough time to be both unhappy and mediocre. It’s not just pointless, it’s painful. Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you ought to set up a life you don’t need to escape from.
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Seth Godin
Best Selling Author
_How We Started Both Co-founders met whilst managing a volunteer programme in Kenya in 2014. It was whilst they were in Kenya that they developed an idea that they wanted to test - whether a social entrepreneurship training programme could support people to climb their own way out of poverty. At the same time they found out that VSO in Kenya were looking for partners to deliver social entrepreneurship training to their youth alumni. They seized the opportunity and pitched for the contract, which they won. And _SocialStarters was born. Following a successful pilot, and new launches in India, Sri Lanka and Brazil, we are confident about our methodology and approach to bringing people together to create change. We have ambitious aims! We know that with your help, social entrepreneurs in developing countries will be able to strengthen their solutions to serious social issues. And we also know that this experience can inspire and equip participants to to make a change in their communities once they return home. It can take an experience like this to unlock the social changer in you. Could this be the start of a sustainable volunteer programme that truly creates change? You will be instrumental in helping us find out.
_Founders ANNA Moran
ANDREA GAMSON _CO-FOUNDER A social enterprise, communications and youth engagement specialist who studied one of the first digital media degrees in the UK. Andrea thrives when impacting positive change. She spent a while post-university selling advertising & marketing campaigns to global brands, charities & media; then found herself launching and developing projects for some of the brightest youth organisations and social enterprises in the UK, including taking Brixton’s foremost youth-run ‘Live Magazine’ national for Livity (2013 Queens Award for Enterprise, the Observer & Nesta’s New Radicals 2012, E&Y Entrepreneurs of the Year). Has a passion for community development, particularly around impact of digital; and is dedicated to global & UK youth issues. Over the years clients and employers have included News International, Bauer Media, Livity, O2, Barclays, Converse, Nike, Adidas, PwC, Australia Tourism, British Film Institute, C4, Cabinet Office, and TFL.
_CO-FOUNDER Anna was 21 years old when she set up her first volunteer programme after travelling to Peru, for which she went on to be nominated for the Woman of The Future Voluntary Award. Since then she has racked up 7 years of experience in the development sector in fundraising and volunteer management, ran youth volunteer programmes overseas for organisations such as VSO, Balloon Kenya and Project Peru and worked with nearly 200 volunteers around the world. During her time at VSO Anna worked on the UK Government’s launch of the international youth volunteer programme - International Citizen Service (ICS), supporting them to fundraise £1m in their first year. She then went on to manage the very first ICS volunteer programmes in Kenya and Tanzania and has been working in volunteer management ever since. Anna passionately believes that volunteering experiences are not just about two way learning or skills sharing but an important opportunity for volunteers to become inspired and equipped to also make change in their own communities.
_Programme Dates 2016 Hyderabad: 30th January to 12th March 2nd April to 14th May Auroville: 20th August to 1st October 22nd October to 3rd December
_Contact Us Apply via our online Application Form. Please state clearly in the subject heading which programme, country and dates you are interested in.