Made in
Rotterdam, a Social Entrepreneurship
Network
Definition
Social Entrepreneurship
Active Entrepreneurship with a social
interest, mobilizing social capital and capacities with the intent to benefit
not just the private organization but the society as a whole.
Vision
All Citizens are empowered to address
Social Issues in the city
Principles
Local:
Use of local strengths, resources and capacities
Small
Scale: Promotion of small scale activities and
entrepreneurships
Sustainable:
Economically, institutionally and environmentally sustainable
Facilitative:
Through multiple platforms, trainings and provision of physical space along
with advocacy and capacity development in public organizations
Objective
Double the Involvement of Rotterdamers in
Social Enterprises by 2024. Here, involvement can be as consumers, volunteers,
employers, employees, facilitators etc.
Intervention
To strengthen and promote the network
Justification
In the period post Global Financial
Crisis, we have noticed an increase in the number of social entrepreneurs
seeking to address issues within the city of Rotterdam and the Netherlands as a
whole via the development of small businesses. A report on the social
enterprise sector in the Netherlands illustrated that the country has the
potential to double the number of enterprises and triple the number of
employees in the sector in the next ten years (McKinsey&Company, 2011). We
see no reason why the sector in Rotterdam cannot also double in that period.
The same report highlighted the challenges
that many social entrepreneurs face in generating awareness, attracting talent,
developing effective management procedures and measuring their social impact.
We believe a functioning network of enterprises/entrepreneurs within Rotterdam
can help overcome these challenges.
There are existing networks within
Netherlands including Social Enterprises NL, ImpactHubs and De Makers van
Rotterdam. However, the first operates on a national level with activities
mainly focussed in Amsterdam and the second is more focussed on networking
amongst shared users of a given space. The latter, whilst being a relatively
good vehicle for internal connections, has not yet explored the true potential
of a network.
A successful social enterprise network is
one that expands the reach of all enterprises and builds the capacity of as
many social entrepreneurs as possible. We will do this by developing a common
identity that links enterprises across the city, generating awareness of their
products and services, and creating a platform for knowledge exchange and
entrepreneurial education. There exist working examples of local scale networks
that work to build the capacity of members (see http://www.sentogether.net/),
but networks that have created a true identity recognisable by regular citizens
are rare.
Implementation
Plan
In order to establish and maintain a
Social Entrepreneurship Network, made in Rotterdam, we have formulated the
following plan of implementation. This strategy is divided into four parts –
Organizational Development, Marketing, Stakeholder Management and Financial
Management.
a. Organizational Development
This
area aims to strength the network in an organisational, skilled and
collaborative level.
Existing
Network Analysis: De Makers Van Rotterdam is an existing
network that we consider as the first step of our project: “made in Rotterdam”
network for social entrepreneurship. Its analysis has determined some scope for
improvement and complementary activities.
Establishing
an initial development team: Based in the needs of established
responsible roles for specific activities, we consider it fundamental to form a
team of volunteer members of the network. This election should be democratic
and agreed by the rest of members. The development team will have the task to
lead during the initiation of the network, motivate the inclusion of new
activities and coordinate an active network.
Network
Principles Agreement: Agreement signed by all the members of the
network, in which principles, rules and regulations of “made in Rotterdam” are
establish. We also propose an internal trade discount within the members of the
networks to encourage internal cooperation and attract new participants.
Formalization
of cooperative: At a given moment, after a period of
intervention and its ulterior assessment, we propose to formalize the network
and its members through a cooperative. This will help to strengthen the
commercial links among the members and finance benefits.
Online
presence - knowledge resources: Media and active online participation as
well as transparency are significant. The online activities of the network will
promote its members companies and businesses; it will also provide services
(trainings and advice) to professionals and enterprises.
Capacity
development events: Trainings and periodical meetings among
the members will be organized. Lectures and external speakers can be invited to
help develop skills and good practices in social entrepreneurship.
Training:
As was explained previously trainings will be organized and
provided to the members and involved people of the network. In the starting
phases these will be focused in entrepreneurial management, finance and public
processes (to obtain permits). In the second stage social skills will be
improved among the members to strength the integration and cooperation.
Networking:
Strong network collaboration will be fostered. Knowledge
exchange, internal trade through social and economic incentives, public
awareness will be promote by the members and participants.
Kickstarters:
Once per year a kickstarter event will be organized, in order
to promote new social initiatives, as well as attract public interest and
visibility. The projects awarded will have organizational support from the
network to start social businesses.
Physical
presence - info centre: A physical office, showroom and
information centre will be implemented in a vacant space of Zoho. The use of
the vacant spaces of the city is one of the priorities of “made in Rotterdam”
and Zoho is a convenient area because of its connectivity and availability,
besides the presence of other social entrepreneurs.
Through
this space we want to establish the physical centrality of the project, as well
as a clear accessibility to the services provided including advice, trainings,
advocacy and members’ participation.
Network
Volunteer/staff employment: In order to facilitate the exchange of
participants among different initiatives and social entrepreneurs, a database
of people involved will be created and managed, with a similar implementation
of bank of time. Participants’ skills and willingness will be detailed so
future volunteer and professional involvements can be identified and
implemented.
Advocacy
development: Based on the strength given by the
network, with support from the members, advocacy will be fostered directed to
the public administrations and municipality of Rotterdam. The goal will be to
facilitate processes and rationalization of regulations which affect social
entrepreneurs, including permits, administrative processes and direct public
support.
Advocacy
will also focus towards private sector and financial institutions, to
facilitate access to financial and trade services.
Survey
and Monitoring: Periodical assessments will be done to
evaluate the impact of the project after each phase.
b. Marketing
We
will promote several activities in order to broaden the presence of the network
in the city and expand the reach to involve more people, since the initial
period of the network. Involvement will be promoted not just as entrepreneurs,
but also as consumers, volunteers, professionals, and facilitators.
Brand
development: We are creating a recognized identity for
the social entrepreneurship to encourage the local, sustainable, small-scale
businesses in Rotterdam.
Online
presence: The network will have an online website
with an information center that helps the social entrepreneurs to exchange
knowledge, experience, and resources. It also provides a wide range of tips and
advices for people willing to start their own enterprises.
Web-based
Application: ‘made in Rotterdam’ is an Application
developed to map the location of the social entrepreneurs throughout the city.
The App can be easily used to search for the products and locate them on the
map. It is also linked to GPS so it can specify the location of the bicycle
shop on the map and give notification when it is nearby.
Stalls:
The network will be present in the local events of Rotterdam by having stalls
and stands in the different markets and fairs that take place periodically in
the city, for example the Swan Market, Blaak market and Nordplein market.
Social
enterprises fair: At a point when the network is self
sustained, financially and technically, a special fair for social enterprises
will be organized to present the initiative of each entrepreneur and sell their
products. This activity can happen at different times and locations in the
city. We propose to initiate this fair from the public spaces of Zoho as a host
as we believe Zoho is a neighborhood with innovative potential taking into
consideration the diversity of people living there, the vacant spaces available
as well as its central location and accessibility.
Showroom:
Along with the social enterprises fair, the network will have a
permanent showroom in which people can get a general idea about all the social
entrepreneurs in the city and familiarize themselves with the principles and
functions of the network and thus, find the right way to be involved, if
interested. Again, the vacant spaces in Zoho can offer a suitable place to
accommodate this activity.
c. Stakeholders’ management
As
a network developed by the involvement of different stakeholders it is vital to
have an analysis and management plan for the stakeholders. It is also important
to notice that not all stakeholders will be the members of the network,
therefore external partnerships and collaborations are very important.
Small
enterprises: Existing small enterprises and organizations
that are socially beneficial will be involved in the network activities. They
may be enterprises whose activities are not aimed primarily at making profit,
organizations producing goods for socially vulnerable groups or using raw
materials produced by social enterprises.
Startup
entrepreneurs: Different people with a variety of skills
and a desire to start their own small business need advice in skills
acquisition, access to loans or marketing, promotion etc. They need partners
for cooperation or support of volunteers in some activities. Startup entrepreneurs are one of the main
stakeholders who are in need of the services of this network.
Government
officials: In order for the network operation to be
successful it is necessary that local government be involved in terms or policy
facilitation, advocacy, promotion and services provision. This facilitation may
be in the form of consultations or legal support, new policies adoption aimed
at more flexibility of existing regulations.
Professionals:
Different kinds of professionals, advisors and experts could be
involved who can help guide start-uppers through the technicalities of the
business and technology processes.
Volunteers:
Social orientation is one of the main traits of the social
entrepreneurship network. Social projects were always in great need of
volunteers and there are always a lot of people who either are temporarily
without work or are glad to contribute to society on a voluntary basis. Social
entrepreneurship network can get an additional powerful resource in the form of
volunteers.
Social
NGOs (partnerships): Partnerships with socially-oriented
non-government organizations can play a very important role in developing the
network. Social organizations have similar goals and established connections
and relationships with volunteers, government and businesses that can be of
great use to social entrepreneurship network strengthening.
Housing
companies: Affordable space is a great issue for
social entrepreneurship start-ups. It may be space for office, commercial and
manufacturing activities, warehouses etc. Housing companies that have
temporarily unused space could be involved in the network operation and provide
the space on smoother and flexible conditions.
Funding
organizations: One of the key areas in facilitation and
assistance provision to social entrepreneurs is the easing of financial burden
by means of providing short-term financial resources in the form of loan for
the start-up period. In such situations it is very useful to have banks and
other financial institutions as partners willing to cooperate. What is
extremely important for them is to be sure about the true intentions and
reliability of borrowers, as well as their professional skills. The social
component is not to be neglected as well.
d. Financial Management
In
order for the network to be sustainable in its own right it will need to
attract adequate funding to cover operational expenses. This will be achieved
by:
Seeking
partners: There are numerous pathways to find
partners that can support our activities via direct sponsorship or in-kind
support. We will target corporations who have CSR guidelines that align with
our principles. We will also enquire to research institutions such as the
Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship who could provide training or other
resources. Havensteder will be a key partner we will target to provide office
and event space in ZoHo at a subsidised rent. We will also discuss partnership
models with Social Enterprise NL to tap into their network of sponsors and
resource providers.
Sourcing
grants: Governments at a local, national and
possibly international (EU) level offer grants to support activities of social
enterprises. Commercial enterprises also
have specific funds that we will target, for example the ABN AMRO Social Impact
Fund. Other financial institutions such as TRIODOS Bank are specifically
supporting Social Entrepreneurs so the network will promote in inclusion of
this source of social finance among the members.
Governmental
support will be also promoted through advocacy done by the network and its
members. Other similar experiences like “Amsterdam urban farming office” can be
implemented in Rotterdam as parallel public initiatives, subsidized partially
or completely by the Municipallity.
Establishing
fees for services: To be a true social enterprise itself, the
network must offer services that are of sufficient value to generate a monetary
return. This will initially take the form of fees for events and activities
aimed at knowledge and skills development. Once the value of our network as a
promotional and advocacy tool is recognised a membership fee can be considered.
Crowdsourcing:
A proven tool effective in funding social activities or events
which targets individuals with like minded interests and usually offers some
kind of tangible return. We will use when necessary to fund discrete events or
products e.g. A social enterprise handbook.
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| Timeline of activities, showing required resources, both human and financial |
Marketing and
Communication
Some of the strategies used in our
implementation plan, like the use of mobile bicycle shop, the establishment of
information centre and the participation as well as organization of markets and
fairs are all vital for marketing and communication. However, some other
initiatives have also been used for this purpose. Firstly, a flyer explaining
the activities and describing how everyone can be involved to create social
impact has been designed for distribution. The flyer is included in a previous post, it can be found at: http://madeinrdam.blogspot.nl/2014/03/be-involved-contribute-for-social-change.htmlAt the
same time communication with various stakeholders has been maintained in a
virtual capacity using emails. The existing network ´de maakers van Rotterdam´
were contacted via email and some of the entrepreneurs, like Hotspot Hutspot, were
interviewed and their feedback was an important asset in this plan. In order to
reach an even wider audience, a blog as well as a social media event page was
created. The links to both these sites have been shared with different
stakeholders and interested groups. These links are also attached here.
IHS Presentation social media event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/684975914895505/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
