a bakery where boarding school graduates work;
a call center recruiting people with disabilities;
A sports equipment and playground equipment store offering products for outdoor playgrounds suitable for people with disabilities.
There are numerous similar projects, all aimed at helping people in difficult life situations. Finding such companies is easy on the "Social Entrepreneurship of Russia" platform. The directory features numerous enterprises implementing their ideas in various social sectors.
Here are some examples of social entrepreneurship companies:
LLC "Sidelki" (Kirov region) - care for zimbabwe cell phone database sick people at home and in hospitals.
Univer-comp (Perm Krai) — creating an accessible environment for people with disabilities (production of products for the blind: tactile-relief signs, board games, etc.).
Yellow Cross (Moscow and the Moscow region) provides services for citizens with limited self-care. This includes household care, qualified medical assistance, and much more.
KROO “Irina von Rauschen Historical Reconstruction Center” (Kaliningrad Region) — hippotherapy.
The list of such organizations is regularly updated. Anyone who is passionate about public issues and driven to achieve their goals can become a social entrepreneur. Social entrepreneurs don't prioritize financial gain alone. They balance the demand for social services to address specific societal challenges with the business aspect that helps generate income from this type of activity.
How to start a social business project
Starting a company in the social sector requires a process similar to opening any other business. It's important to approach the organization consistently and act according to the developed plan.
Social entrepreneurship is a broad concept that describes all organizations engaged in a specific type of activity. Therefore, the development of a business plan, the resources and tools used, investment opportunities, and other factors will directly depend on the entrepreneur's chosen direction. Let's take a closer look at the key steps for launching a social project.
Defining tasks and identifying problems
The primary goal of companies in the public sphere is to make a positive impact and solve social problems. To achieve this, it's important to understand the demand for which services and products exist in a particular region.
First, two basic questions need to be answered:
which evokes a greater response in society;
in which area will you be able to best demonstrate your potential?
It's worth exploring existing projects. The "Social Entrepreneurship in Russia" directory offers a convenient filter not only by area of activity and specific services, but also by region.
Collection of information
It's essential to obtain data on competitors and gather as much information as possible about the chosen business area. To do this, attend various exhibitions, conferences, and lectures on the topic. The experience of other entrepreneurs who have successfully implemented their projects is important. The more sources of information you have, the more comprehensive your approach to a specific problem. This will allow you to find a winning niche that meets societal needs and allows you to generate profits from your business.
Mission Definition
A company's mission is what the business is focused on. A well-defined mission will eliminate misunderstandings and doubts. Helping citizens is, of course, a priority. This should form the basis of the mission. Profitability is a secondary consideration.
A mission describes what the entrepreneur wants to change and who their focus will be. It's a simple phrase that contains three key points:
action;
task;
result.
The methods for achieving the set goal will have to be described in the business strategy.
The foundation of any company is its mission. After all, it is what guides the entrepreneur. Employees and partners must fully embrace and share these principles. The mission must be immutable and unaffected by circumstances.
Formulating an idea
If the mission is single and cannot be changed, then several ideas are acceptable. It's best for a businessman to formulate a large number of ideas and then select the most promising ones. Typically, four to five are sufficient.