Topic outline

  • Introduction

    An image representing Financing for Social Enterprise

    Considering that Social Enterprises (SEs) strive to create a positive social impact while ensuring financial sustainability, obtaining sufficient and appropriate financial resources is more demanding for SEs than for traditional enterprises.

    This Microlearning Module provides information on available financing options for SEs with focus on crowdfunding and presents overview of the three main financial statements and standard structure of a traditional business plan, as well as public procurement opportunities. This topic also facilitates understanding of social impact investors and how SEs can improve chances of securing investment.

  • Social investment strategies. How to approach investors?

    This unit provides basic information on the concept of social investment and areas that emerged as focal points for social impact investors. Key principles of the social impact investment are explained. Having in mind numerous challenges in impact measurement and management, the social impact management cycle, and several methodologies to measure social impact have been developed.

    Although social investors aspire to create social impact, they are also profit oriented, so Social Enterprises (SEs) must prepare sound business plan, attain investment readiness, and avoid common mistakes in approaching social investors.