What is a social enterprise?
A social enterprise is a purpose-driven business that uses market-based strategies to solve social or environmental problems, rather than solely maximizing profit for shareholders. They generate revenue through goods or services, and profits are reinvested into their mission.
Our social enterprise program in Uganda is working to eliminate school fees and foster financial security in Ugandan partner communities through community-led initiatives.
To avoid perpetuating systems of dependency, we collaborate with our Ugandan partners to develop income-generating projects. These "social enterprises" earn income for the school and business participants, building paths towards long-term financial independence.
These cooperatively-run businesses split profits between participants and the school (i.e., the mission of financially-accessible education).
As the success of these enterprises grows, schools can reduce the cost of tuition and work towards their ultimate goal of offering some of the first tuition-free education in Uganda.
Additionally, social enterprises create opportunities for adult participants to build agency through financial freedom. Participants can invest surplus income in other personal or shared projects that create positive change and transform families, neighborhoods, and communities.
Social enterprises engage the community in the success of each program through the cooperatively run business structure, which generates camaraderie between school staff and residents. These businesses are worker-owned and operated by the school and community members who contribute to each enterprise in various ways, like providing necessary materials, oversight, or daily care, while also gaining hands-on experience and cultivating entrepreneurial skills.