‘Social entrepreneurship‘ is a social forum with more than 40 000 members and is part of the change.org website – an internet page with principal aim to raise awareness about important issues such as global warming, women’s rights and human trafficking but also to empower people to take action together with non-profits.

When it comes to websites sharing information on social entrepreneurship one can easily see that there is no consensus when it comes to the definition of the concept. In some cases there even seem to be difficulties to figure out what’s actually social about ’social entrepreneurship’ and how the social can be connected to entrepreneurial beliefs. Thus, it is always inspiring to get hold on new inspiring sources that do their best to give an updated and accurate picture of social entrepreneurship – both as social and entrepreneurial concept.  

On change.org’s website it’s possible to read both articles and e-books concerning social entrepreneurship. One can also read informal blogging, discuss and comment on current topics.  For more tips on how to start making a change as a young social entrepreneur read the e-book Startup & Change the World,  previously publised at change.org.

In recent years it has become increasingly common for private companies to carry out activities that previously has been done by the public authorities. The Swedish government states that a development of new ways of carrying out already existing services is desirable whenever this creates new opportunities that take advantage of individual initiatives. However, in connection with these new opportunities, related especially to public activities, sometimes the commercial interests take over in a way that isn’t desirable.

This is the principal reason why it in Sweden since 2006 exists a possibility to start and hold a limited company with limited profit distribution. The new type of stock company is voluntary but has led to an extension in the Swedish law for limited companies (ABL). A whole new chapter (number 32) has been added and stock companies with limited profit distibution is now a fact. Every new limited company with limited profit distribution should carry the denomination ‘AB Svb’ (Aktiebolag med Särskild Vinstutdelningsbegränsning) and once created, these kind of limited companies cannot go from AB Svb to normal limited companies (AB) which makes it impossible to change the corporate category.

The new company category is intended first and foremost for activities in the areas of education and health care but can also be used in other areas. However, there is no law indicating that these areas must be managed by limited companies with limited profit distribution.

Characteristics of the AB Svb

• A company with a dividend restriction will be a kind of special private limited company
• In a limited company with a dividend restriction only limited dividends are accepted.
• During the period from one Annual General Meeting until the next Annual General Meeting the dividends and other transfers of value made in the company should not exceed an amount equivalent to the rate – calculated as a state loan rate plus one percentage point – of the capital that the shareholders have contributed to the company as payment for shares.
• General court shall decide on compulsory liquidation of an AB Svb that has made an illegal transfer of value or any other unlawful transfer.

Internationally there are various examples of companies, similar to the Swedish AB Svb, with a restrictive view of the possibilities to carry out business. Among others, in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark the governments’ have restricted the possibilities of private ownership in areas concerning health. Moreover, in the UK exists the corporate category ‘Community Interest Company’ (CIC) that ensures that the public funds actually reaches their recipients.

Thus, at the international level the social economy is getting more and more attention and there seem to be a movement towards the development and promotion of not-for-profit activities. In Sweden there is still a lot to accomplish and for example only a few hospitals, among them Ersta and the hospital of the Red Cross Organisation, are operated by not-for-profit organisations.

Fore more information see the Swedish law for limited companies – Aktiebolagslag (2005:551) and the British Community Interest Companies.

The number of social entrepreneurs in Sweden is growing (fabulous!) and our ambition is to create meeting places for social entrepreneurs and be an arena for the concept of social entrepreneurship. For this reason one of SE Forum’s members, Jessica Dymén, will launch a new project to examine the conditions for developing an association for social entrepreneurs within SE Forum. For social entrepreneurs to operate efficiently in today’s Sweden, we believe that it is necessary with informational and opinion-forming efforts, in addition to research and capability development.

The social enterprises and entrepreneurs in Sweden are in lack of an association that is capable of  running their questions and concerns in relation to politicians, authorities, regulations, organizations, etc. This is something that we at SE Forum would like to change!

If you want to learn more or get involved in the project contact Jessica at jessicadymen[at]gmail.com 

How can democracy be truly yours? Kom till Nalen i Stockholm den 26 november för att söka svar och inspiration!

Truly Yours är en konferens och ett möte mellan makthavare, metodmakare, tänkare och passionerade
kreatörer där vi gemensamt svarar på frågan: Hur ser våra nya arbetsmetoder ut för att involvera medborgare i
samhällsutvecklingen och lokaldemokrati?

Mellan 9-17 ges du möjligheten att delta i workshops, lyssna till föreläsningar och en paneldebatt med en grupp från kommun, samhällsentreprenörer och kulturutövare.

Workshops: Miljonkulturell ungdom som vill utforska samhällsentreprenörers förutsättningar, Riket.se på temat “Engagemang – ideologi eller samhällsnytta”, Göteborgs Kommunalförbund med fokus på metoder för ungdomsinflytande, och North to South: Space for memories som vill titta närmare på situationsanpassade metodval.

Talare för dagen:

Tommie Laitio, researcher Demo Finland
Nils Hertting, forskare Uppsala universitet
Fredrik Lindegren, projektledare Umeå 2014
Jan Lindgren, kampanjledare Piratpartiet
Sara Falconi, Director of Atelier Malta
Giulia Guiducci, Compagnia Rodisio, Parma
Max Valentin, Vd Fabel kommunikation

Konferensen arrangeras av Fabel Kommunikation och äger rum på Nalen, konferenslokal Stacken, Davidbagares gata 19 i Stockholm.

För kostnad och OSA, kika snarast in på www.fabel.se. Vid frågor, kontakta Max Valentin: max[at]fabel.se

Vi ses där!

Social Entrepreneurship Forum would like to thank everyone that took time to meet us in Rwanda. It was great meeting you and we are glad you took the time!

Inspiring and with so many investment opportunities! 

We will post our findings and the report here when time is due. 

Until then check out Andrew Mwenda takes a new look at Africa at TED-talk. He summarizes our findings: it is not about poverty reduction, it is about wealth creation. And who are the guys creating wealth: the entrepreneurs. 

This month’s SE Bar will take place on November 25 at 17.30-19.00, Restaurant Publik (PUB-huset in Hötorget).

Kom och insup inspiration från vinnaren av Veckans Affärers “Social Capitalist Award” 2009! Nästa SE Bar gästas av Kjell Hasslert, VD för Telge-koncernen. Under Kjells ledning har Telge gjort en fascinerande resa från att vara ett litet kommunal energibolag, i form av Telge Energi, till att bli en av Sveriges mest innovativa och utmanande koncerner. Telge drar sig inte för okonventionella metoder för att lösa några av Södertäljes utmaningar. När man konstaterade att kommunen behövde fler bostäder etablerade man ett ovanligt samarbete med Peab för att starta ett nytt byggbolag där de anställda skulle vara nyanlända flyktingar. På liknande sätt har man etablerat ett samarbete med Manpower för att få ut fler i arbete. Samtidigt sticker Telge Energi ut hakan med att bara leverera förnyelsebar energi och provocera storbolagen för deras bristande miljöansvar. Och så finns Telge Hovsjö, bostadsbolaget som arbetar med så mycket mer än bostäder, arbetet går ut på att utveckla en hel stadsdel. Allt detta tillsammans var säkerligen bidragande orsaker till att Telge vann Veckans Affärers “Social Capitalist Award” 2009. Varmt välkommen, ingen anmälan behövs och du får gärna ta med dig andra intresserade!

Emre Güler is part of SE Forum’s trip to Rwanda, and writes about the fascinating meetings on his blog Africa’s Potential:  

“It should’ve been done YESTERDAY”

That sentence keeps on repeating itself over and over again. During the days I’ve been here in Kigali the bold, inspirational, talented and high-caliber Rwandan entrepreneurs I’ve met all have the same vision of progression and fast pacedness that reminds me of my experiences from the Chinese business climate.

Rwandan Entrepreneurs such as Tony Francis Ntore, a Marketing Consultant and partner in his family business I.T.A (International Travel Agency), Amin Gafaranga Founder of the Shokola Lounge, Shema Ngoga Fabrice (Founder of the SOGEM Rwanda packeging company) as well as Raj Rajendra (MD at the textile manufacturer UTEXRWA) all have one mind-set and especially one sentence that sums it all up where this country is heading towards.

”I want it to be done today, but it should have been done YESTERDAY!”

If you take a look at my prior East African experiences with neighbouring Uganda, it feels as if the Rwandan entrepreneurs are on a totally different height and on a level which reminds me of the Asian Tiger Entreprenurial climate. After a couple of days I felt a slight ”China-Wibe”! The amibition, driving-force, the contagious entreprenurial attitude and that fast progression is highly important in order to create jobs. Job creation is the fundamental part which is the key-issue if Rwanda want to avoid experience the same hardships they did in 1994.

Read more on Africa’s Potential blog!

SE Forum will give the presentation The Role of Entrepreneurs in Post-Conflict at MR-dagarna in Stockholm, Tuesday 17 th of November at 11.00. We will present findings from the OUTREACH-project, in which SE Forum in collaboration with the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, have met with entrepreneurs, private sector organizations and experts in Kenya and Rwanda to investigate the important role of entrepreneurs and rapid private sector development in post-conflict areas.

MR-dagarna is a yearly event at Stockholmsmässan. Our speach will be held at the area “Den Globala Arbetsmarknaden”, right at the entrance to the exhibition area on the 17th of November, 11.oo.

 WELCOME!

Three members of SE Forum, Åse Botha, Emre Güler and Harry McNeil are in Rwanda, conducting part two of the OUTREACH study. OUTREACH is about the role of business and social entrepreneurs in post-conflict regions. Two field studies are conducted, apart from Rwanda, SE Forum visited Kenya in April, meeting a number of Social Entrepreneurs associated with Ashoka. 

Our conclusions will be presented on the 17th of November at MR-dagarna in Stockholm. You can also follow our working progress here on the SE Forum blog.

The overall goals for the Rwanda journey:

• Increase the knowledge about the role of sustainable entrepreneurship in post-conflict regions and lay the foundation for a debate on how Swedish aid can develop and be used as a catalyst for sustainable entrepreneurship in post-conflict regions.

• Show examples of social and sustainable companies, businesses and projects in post-conflict regions that have grown and generated return, and use these to motivate Swedish businesses and investors to increase the interest in investing on new markets.

• Gather general knowledge on how small businesses can grow to become medium and large businesses.