YES! You Can Be the Next Social Entrepreneur!
Are you inspired by the successes of entrepreneurs, such as Bill Drayton, Muhammad Yunus, and Scott Harrison? Do you have a passion for solving a social problem while making money?
If your answer is YES, then social entrepreneurship may be a fit for you. Despite the efforts, there is still no commonly used definition of social entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, according to the GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor), a social entrepreneur is an individual who is starting or currently leading any kind of activity, organization or initiative that has a particularly social, environmental or community focus.
Here we highlight articles to provide you with information on what is trending regarding how social entrepreneurs from Africa, Asia and Latin America, are becoming profitable and doing good at the same time.
How 5 Creative Young People Are Addressing Youth Employment in Africa introduces five ideas from social entrepreneurs under the age of 30 that redefine employment in Africa, while putting young people in charge as change makers. These young entrepreneurs from Uganda, Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria and Burkina Faso, demonstrate that young people can be activists and innovators—even job creators for their communities.
Forbes is also paying more attention to rising young social entrepreneurs. The Forbes 30 Under 30 Changemakers Addressing Asia's Biggest Social Problems looks at how young entrepreneurs tackle various social issues and achieve a positive local impact. These social ventures take on tough societal challenges including youth suicide, landmine infestation, lack of access to education, menstrual stigma and an aging population.
Lastly but not the least, we invite you to Panama in South America, to meet a young female entrepreneur named Yarelys Gomez, whose startup business makes a profit from selling recycled organic waste to gardeners. She also employs paroled prisoners to help them rebuild their lives. More on Yarelys Gomez in [t]his startup helps the environment … and its workers.
Engaging in social entrepreneurship is not easy, and can bring a lot of challenges and opportunities for aspiring young entrepreneurs. However, it connects you and others to life purpose and keeps you motivated. In particular, it is what today's consumers are demanding, as we see more and more people interested in products and services that align with their values.
Interested to learn who in the Ye! Community is a social entrepreneur? Check out the community and connect with social entrepreneurs today!
Date: 28 Feb 2020
Image credit: Pixabay