The aim of this course is to introduce students to the context of social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Through project work students will increase their understanding of various theories and practices from the field, while being exposed to the action-oriented skills required for developing and implementing a social innovation and/or creating the social-oriented new venture.

In our society social needs are addressed in a variety of different ways. Some of these needs are addressed mainly through public organisations, some in private spheres through associations or businesses, and others in informal organisations or maybe not at all. As changes occur in our society, the current practices we use to meet our needs will not necessarily be the same practices we use to meet our needs in the future. In response, a number of initiatives are emerging. The creation of these new initiatives is the focus of this course.

Social innovation involves the identification of new problems and finding new solutions for action, individually or collectively. Entrepreneurship, as the process of developing and carrying out these initiatives, focuses on creating new ‘worlds’ in our minds, in how we discuss these with others, and finally how we actually carry out concrete activities. Social innovation and entrepreneurship can, and probably will, involve logics from different sectors of society. During the course, ethical, moral and normative issues will be considered in relation to practical examples and project work.

The course’s key topics are:

1. Social Entrepreneurship

2. Social Return-on-Investment (SROI)

3. Corporate Social Responsibility

4. Public Relations

5. Not-for profit business models.