During the Ashoka changemaker week in Paris last week there was one particular social entrepreneur that still remains in my mind. He gave a short intro during one speaker session. His name is Arnoud Raskin, Founder of Mobile Schools and Streetwize. Mobile Schools develops innovative education programs that enhance the qualities of resourcefulness that underprivileged…
Category: entrepreneurs
From Nimby to Pimby – 6 recommendations make change happen
During the Ashoka changemaker week in Paris I heard great things from very successful social entrepreneurs: 1. Everything goes through people. It is not the organization, not the plan, not the initiative, but just the people who make it happen 2. You can change only if you think that you are not in a traffic…
Why social entrepreneurs need more socializing
There are a lot of good initiatives ongoing in several parts of the world. Some of them are more social driven, others has also a sustainable financial business model behind. However, what is often underestimated is the aspect of involving people from ‘outside’ actively and making them part of the implementation, be it on site,…
Social entrepreneurship? Should be more than a trend
Normally, in the morning I read a few articles on social entrepreneurship. Best practice ideas, interesting people with a lot of out- of-the-box thinking from India, US, Europe, Africa. There are many impressive stories and a lot of really engaged social entrepreneurs around. Their stories are inspiring, eye-openers… Additionally, I read articles on social entrepreneurship…
Twoandhalfweeks in India – business opportunities for village women, part II
Have you seen the lady in the picture? Unfortunately, I do not remember her name, but she had worked for years in a local fabric that produces paraffin heaters. The monthly payment for her eight hrs job was quiet low. The conditions? Not really the best … When she heard about VIMUKTHA – a legally…
With snacks towards a better future
Womens’ life in small cities and poor urban surrounding has always been very hard – like womens’ life in many parts of India. Women in rural areas have a long working day: they get up very early, carry huge containers of water or bundles of wood on their heads, clean the houses, engage in fieldwork…
A perfect day in Mumbai
The day starts with a visit at a traditional fish market. Unfortunately, after the terrorism attacks in 2008 it is forbidden to take photos. But this market is quite impressive. Crowdy place, huge amount of fish I have never seen before, women and men carrying huge baskets with fish on their heads, many young girls…
Next month you will do better, won’t you?
Do you know this? Thinking of what is happening with your health, your relationships, your business, your surroundings, your private life – you know the challenges and you know where change is needed. There is so much we can do better: care for our partners, work in a more strategic way, start to implement long…
Social and business – the two worlds are still there. We need the big vision!
The two worlds are still there. Business thinks business and social is social. Simply said. But what about the huge trend, this trendy movement becoming big and bigger which is called “Social entrepreneurship”? Yes, that’s interesting to both organization types. People like it. Just the idea to fulfill society’s needs and to combine it with…
Video of the month: urban farming in Singapore
Social enterprise initiative in Singapore – urban farming I like it. The urban farms you see when visiting huge cities such as New York, Berlin or Singapore. These surprising green small parts between huge streets and skyscrapers, the green fields of herbs and vegetables, even rice and a huge number of different fruits where you…
Go India, go future! 