„Recent global trends show that the social business model is becoming a key driver that could make this vision a reality. We are delighted to have been invited to join the global community of leaders in their efforts to create inclusive ecosystems that care about preserving all that is alive,“ said Viktorija Bražiūnaitė, CEO of the Lithuanian Social Business Association, who, on the first day of the Forum, served as a moderator in a session which covered the role of business incubators and accelerators for their role in manifesting changes in society.
Some international organisations have already recognised and begun to appreciate our efforts to encourage and help entrepreneurs in this sector to establish themselves. „We are delighted that the Lithuanian Social Business Association has joined our international community, as we cannot imagine actually managing to bring change about without the combined efforts of all of us,“ said Wieteke Dupain, CEO of the Euclid Network, during the high-profile session between social economy leaders.
Europe changes direction
Mr. Dupain shared a message that is also very relevant for the Lithuanian social business community: a message that the massive international Buy Social Europe B2B initiative is taking the socially responsible purchasing movement in Europe to a new level, opening up a €500 billion market for socially responsible purchasing. The EU is now taking the Buy Social initiative to a new level and opening up a unique market opportunity for social businesses. Buy Social Europe B2B has brought together an international consortium of 23 partners, led by the Euclid Network, the European network of social businesses. The consortium will accelerate trade partnerships between mainstream and social businesses in 17 European countries. „I am delighted that our cooperation with the Lithuanian Social Business Association is moving to a very concrete practical level, and can only congratulate those responsible,“ said Mr Dupain.
One of the Forum's key themes is opportunities for increased trade, cooperation and collective action. Alexandra van der Ploeg, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at SAP, also spoke about this, and emphasised that we can learn from each other's cooperation: „The current Buy Social Europe B2B initiative is unique. We have an annual turnover of USD 4.9 trillion in the SAP business network, and we have the expertise to help expand this collaborative initiative. Traditional businesses will buy more goods and services from social businesses, which will help them become stronger. The only way forward is to go together, and we are proud to partner with a community committed to using business models to create a fairer, more just and sustainable world.“
In separate forum formats, Per Bach, CEO of Sociale Entreprenører i Danmark, also highlighted the importance of Nordic-Baltic cooperation for strengthening the regional social entrepreneurship ecosystem, and he welcomed the concept of the Baltic Impact Network, which Denmark and Ukraine will be joining in the next phase.
Co-host Egon van Wees, from Impact Amsterdam, has shared his insights on how local authorities can strengthen the social business ecosystem. According to him, social business in Amsterdam effectively addresses local issues by looking at a range of topics that includes social inclusion, environmentalism, community well-being and innovation. „Many social businesses in our city provide job opportunities for vulnerable groups and promote sustainability practices while at the same time contributing to community well-being and making use of technological innovation. They also often collaborate with other organisations to strengthen their operations and address the city's challenges in a spirit of cooperation. These are just some of the ways social business actively contributes to the well-being of the people of Amsterdam and to development in the city. Both now and in the new period, one of the strategic objectives of the Amsterdam Local Authority has been to strengthen of social business,“ said Mr van Wees.
Global examples of social businesses
The Forum showcased many impressive examples of social business. For example, ConnectHear, a Pakistan-based social business, is working to ensure sign language accessibility and to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities through technology. Upgraded, an Austrian second-hand clothing exchange app, is endeavouring to bridge the gap between the consumption needs of Generation Z and climate protection goals. MUVE NPO, a Taiwanese company, was founded to provide an integrated eye-tracking education system and empower visually impaired people's potential. Sonido Call Centre, an innovative social business based on our Latvian neighbours, provides job opportunities for people from socially excluded and at-risk groups. Freshtable is the Netherlands' first socially inclusive halal and sustainable food delivery company. Experienced chefs cook delicious meals with fresh ingredients and deliver them directly to the door of customers' homes.
Lithuania has also had the opportunity to tell the story of social businesses operating in our country. The second Lithuanian woman who participated in the Forum programme, Inga Jablonskė, the founder and CEO of WoW University for Women, along with speakers from all over the world, participated in the panel discussion „The role of education.“ The panel discussed the importance of social responsibility and entrepreneurship for the role they play in education systems and in our societies.
„I am glad that stories that originated in Lithuania are becoming a source of inspiration for organisations devoted to global social change. The opportunity to share WoW University's discoveries, methodology and success stories on a global scale is a sign that our work has been hugely recognised. I am glad that our university methodology and the culture of entrepreneurialism that we create have gained interest in the world today. By participating in a global forum, and drawing inspiration from leaders in various countries, I have come to see and appreciate the change that our community is creating,“ said I. Jablonskė as she shared her thoughts.
The WOW University, now four years old, has made a massive breakthrough in Lithuanian women's solidarity and continuous growth. Almost 7,500 women have graduated from the WOW University's long course. However, I. Jablonskė has labelled the 520 scholarships established by business partners and sponsors as its most outstanding achievement – this is something that enabled socially vulnerable women from different parts of Lithuania to deepen their professional knowledge by caring for relatives, sick children, children with disabilities and women coping with disabilities or who are going through an after-illness period.
Viktorija Bražiūnaitė, Head of the Lithuanian Social Business Association, is glad that participation in the Forum has provided a unique opportunity to promote Lithuania and make valuable connections that she intends to share with the social business community in Lithuania. „For three days, I was in contact with the best experts in their field from countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, the United States, Italy, etc., who shared their knowledge about proven methods of social business development. Knowing that we are part of a strong international community, and that we have its support, has only strengthened our confidence that we are not alone in this journey,“ said V. Bražiūnaitė, in her summing up of her impressions of the World Social Business Forum.
