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Day 4: SEWA – How to Become a Successful Social Entrepreneur
SEWA – HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
Host: Radhika Maira
A social enterprise is a business that generates profits, creates employment opportunities, and improves equality through social and economic growth of the community. SEWA’s training centre, SEWA Manager Ni School, provides training for grassroots women workers, empowering them with the ability to manage business. Two videos were shown demonstrating the work of SEWA, highlighting the achievements of women social entrepreneurs, and validating women’s work. Discussion of social entrepreneurship followed and several examples were offered by participants.
SEWA’s digital social enterprise initiative, SEWA Bazaar, focuses on streamlining production of goods, linking artisans with markets, and creating employment and livelihood opportunities for women and youth. Its vision is to reach national and international markets. Reflecting on the work of SEWA Bazaar, discussions moved on to steps for developing an organization or enterprise owned and managed by workers themselves. Their organization is their own responsibility. SEWA Bazaar has a clear vision, and is working towards it.
The final discussion focused on how to make a social enterprise financially viable. Participants weighed a variety of expenses that may occur when building an organization or social enterprise. The priorities identified to assess and maintain viability include a focus on the planning and ongoing review of the budget, as well as a monitoring process to understand the current situation and emerging shifts. Social entrepreneurs must remain mindful of the long-term goals and focused on the vision guiding their work.
DEEPENING GENDER LEARNING
The stories of women entrepreneurs highlighted how they could see the conditions of people in their communities and the opportunities for doing something different that could help make a change for the better. A challenge identified in the discussion is different policy contexts. It can be difficult to develop enterprise if the environment is not supportive. Women’s social entrepreneurship has the potential to create awareness and engage business in the gender equality movement.
NEW QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
The participants raised questions for further learning about social enterprises, including what innovation looks like in the context of social enterprises, and how to identify and support capacity building for social entrepreneurs. Partner countries have different experiences and understandings of social enterprises, what may be well known in one area could be innovative to another.
Organizing is the key. It builds the collective strength and bargaining power of the women workers. It helps pool the varied expertise of various members; helps bring ideas to the table, equip them with the necessary resources, and create alternative economic opportunities with multiple bottom lines. - Radhika
