The issue of social exclusion is tightly connected with a European economic crisis and the waves of immigrants coming to the EU. Immigrants, as well as those who were fired during the reduction of staff or just couldn’t find job, became socially excluded. The governments of the European countries realize a need to protect those people and help them with education and work. The European Social Entrepreneurship Training Program is one of the answers to the social exclusion challenge. The program supports social entrepreneurship and provides the training for the future entrepreneurs. There are in-class and online studies. A huge platform was created to support this project and to enable on-line training, materials sharing and networking. The program not only creates a new generation of social entrepreneurs but also encourages the creation of new working places in newly opened businesses.

The School of Social Entrepreneurs in Spain

This institution provides the trainings, consultation and support for the young entrepreneurs who want to start social business projects. The School also provides the trainings, presenting new techniques, modern tools and equipment, to the professors who will later teach there. The students of the School will acquire the knowledge of the latest management methods and techniques, will learn to build a sustainable business model and make their business plan come true. The graduates of the School will have all the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of an average European recipient (institutions supporting social entrepreneurship). Online training is a prevailing form of study there which secures the access to the knowledge to a bigger quantity of people. Online training may be cheaper and, thus, more affordable for the representatives of the medium social class.

Importance of social enterprises in combating social exclusion

Social entrepreneurship is created not only to secure sufficient quantity of the working places, but also to enhance social responsibility on a local level. These organizations will also provide the services for the local society as well as for the definite groups of people. A bright example of a successful social entrepreneurship is Poland in which, in 2004, the government has approved a project aimed at the development of these activities. By 2007, there were already 106 social cooperatives which had hired around 500 people. Poland has also created the centers of support of the social cooperatives which also provide the subsidies of around 3500 Euros for the creating of the social enterprise or for the supply of the needed equipment, tools and other investments.

All in all, social entrepreneurship is beneficial both for the economy of the country and for its citizens.

You can see more details about the “e-ESPASE” Project here!