Social Enterprise Kickstarter: Developing ideas to create social impact

This programme is aimed at individuals or groups who have an idea for a social enterprise but have not yet started. The programme helps participants understand what makes a social enterprise unique, explore real social needs, and begin turning ideas into realistic, actionable solutions.

Through guided exercises, peer learning, and hands-on tools, participants will gain clarity on the problem they want to solve, who they want to serve, and how their idea could create positive social or environmental impact.

 Aims of the Programme:

• Clarify Social Enterprise Concepts: Introduce the core principles of social enterprise, distinguishing it from traditional businesses and charities.
• Identify the challenges that Social Enterprises face
• Identify Social Needs: Guide participants in identifying social or environmental issues and understanding their potential for social impact.
• Develop Initial Ideas: Facilitate brainstorming, defining problem-solutions
• Foster Peer-to-Peer Learning: Create an environment for participants to share ideas, receive initial feedback and develop connections in the sector

Profile of Participants:

This programme is aimed at individuals or groups who:

• Have an idea for a social enterprise but have not yet started.
• Have identified where social change is needed but do not yet have a solution.
• Have a passion to bring about social change but may lack entrepreneurial skills.
• Have an existing Community, Voluntary organisation but wish to create a trading arm.
• Have an existing for-profit business but wish to create a social enterprise/CSR/ESG arm.

Social Innovation: Identifying Social Needs & Solutions

Participants will explore how to identify genuine social needs and develop thoughtful, evidence-based solutions through a mix of discussion and practical exercises, including:

• Understanding who your beneficiaries are and how to identify the challenges they face, using tools such as community research, needs assessments, village plans, SWOT analysis, and empathy mapping
• Practical exercise: clearly defining the social problem your enterprise seeks to address
• Conducting a resource and asset audit, alongside gap analysis to identify opportunities
• Generating ideas through empathy-based problem-solving approaches
• Mapping problems to potential solutions and brainstorming innovative responses
• Researching existing and emerging solutions, including the use of AI tools

This course is for Westmeath Businesses/clients. Businesses/clients who book on who are not based in Westmeath may be removed if the place is required by a Westmeath-based business

Please note: In the event you book a place and subsequently do not cancel your booking at least ten working days prior to the commencement of the course and do not take up the place no refund or fee transfer will be offered