Social Entrepreneurs and small and growing businesses (SGBs) have been acting as frontline responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing services to the most vulnerable populations. But the crisis shed light on the constraints & challenges they face. We call on on corporations, (impact) investors, funders, support organizations and government institutions to stand by social entrepreneurs as first responders to the COVID-19 crisis and as pioneers of a green, inclusive society and economic system.
Today, Yunus Social Business together with 60 leading actors in social entrepreneurship - under the umbrella of the World Economic Forum’s COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship - published our COVID Social Enterprise Action Agenda providing practical guidance on what each can do to help social entrepreneurs play their part in fighting the pandemic and in charting the way towards recovery and a reinvention of our systems.
To read our Leaders on the Frontline Action Agenda and to join us in action:
Aavishkaar Group, Acumen, Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), Argidius Foundation, Agora Partnerships, Ashoka, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), CASE at Duke University, Catalyst 2030, Co-Impact, DOEN Foundation, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Echoing Green, European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA), Euclid Network, Fundación Avina, GHR Foundation, Global Innovation Fund, Global Steering Group for Impact Investing (GSG), Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), Greenwood Place, IIX, IKEA Foundation, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, Impact Assets, Impact Hub, International Labour Organization, Johnson & Johnson, KIVA, Latimpacto, Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation, Mercy Corps Ventures, Motsepe Foundation, NESsT, Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), Open Road Alliance, Rippleworks, Root Capital, Salesforce.org, SAP, Schwab Foundation, Skoll Foundation, Sorenson Impact Foundation, Thomson Reuters Foundation, United States African Development Foundation (USADF), UNDP Business Call to Action, UNDP SDG Impact, USAID Center for Innovation and Impact (CII), Village Capital, Yunus Social Business, 60_decibels
How should we give? Along with the issue of how much, questioning the model into which we donate our money is becoming more and more pertinent in the modern age. As we seek to optimise the way we spend and invest our money, it’s not surprising that we are also looking to optimise the way we give. There is a scarcity in the philanthropic capital available - so it’s important that it is spent well.
Corona has already delivered a punishing blow in Germany. In developing countries, it’s hitting like a Tsunami. The economy has been brought to its knees. Half a billion people could slip deeper into poverty. Social businesses are part of the solution.
This Christmas, it’s more important than ever to support social businesses. At a time when it may feel easier to shop online at the major online retailer ‘who shall not be named’, why not take a bit of time to find a social business which benefits a local community?