A strong local focus, fulfilling local needs, and driven by a sense of community are key elements of social enterprises, according to Dr Mary O’Shaughnessy
Speaking at a TUS-organised seminar in Limerick recently, Dr Mary O’Shaughnessy, head of UCC’s Department of Food Business and Development, outlined why social enterprises are unique.
They emerge to fulfill local needs that are not met otherwise;
They have a strong local focus, often driven by a sense of community and anchored in community relations;
They combine a wide range of resources and networks.
She said rural social enterprises strengthen trust, solidarity and community cohesion: “However, there is sometimes a gap between policy discourse and actual support needed.”
Drawing on research she and colleagues have been involved in, she highlighted the wide-ranging impact of social enterprises. This includes empowering vulnerable social groups, giving them a voice, increasing their independence and promoting capacity building.
Social enterprises help society meet UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as poverty reduction and food security (goals one and two).
They also help to achieve:
Sustainable and inclusive economic growth and decent work;
Social, political and economic inclusion of vulnerable groups;
and contribute to the construction of sustainable communities.
These latter three contribute to achieving SDGs 8, 10 and 11 respectively.
On the flip side, Mary said, “If it’s not done well it can erode goodwill and destroy the potential for social impact in a place.” She also pointed out, “Unrealistic expectations sometimes arise where supporters/backers expect the social innovators to solve all problems.”
Mary has co-authored a paper about rural social enterprises across Europe, available to read here.
For more, see https://www.changingireland.ie/learning-shared-from-erasmus-community-enterprise-project