In the last few decades, the term ​‘social enterprise’ has become popular in academic circles, among social sector organisations, development practitioners, and in the policy-making spheres. Social enterprises, while formed as privately-owned / small-group-led for-profit entities, emphasize a fairer distribution of surplus across the entire value chain. The for-profit models in the form of cooperatives and producer companies help the disadvantaged population to engage with the market from a position of collective strength and gain better prices for their produce. In recent times they are also creating effective models to address various ecological issues ranging from solid waste management to safe drinking water to sustainable agriculture. They adopt a hybrid approach of producing social good while also creating an economic value, which in turn leads to sustainable and measurable impacts. 

This course delves into the concept of social enterprises, exploring both for-profit and non-profit models designed to address social and ecological issues. It covers key concepts, regulations, and the systematic planning involved in establishing a social enterprise. Emphasizing the hybrid approach of creating social good while generating economic value, the course prepares students to contribute to social change by improving their skills in designing and running social enterprises, fostering sustainable financial models for collective action and social innovation.