Social Entrepreneurship - Definition
According to Don Mohanlal, president and CEO of the Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation, India "Social entrepreneurs embody excellence in creating disruptive technologies and ideas that empower the poor or the marginalized."
__________________
Bill Drayton, CEO Ashoka Foundation
__________________
UnLtd India - Launch Pad for social entrepreneurs
Student Social Innovation and Entrepreneurs Meet 9-10 Julu 2011, Bangalore
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Entreprises - Funding Organizations in India - 2010 article
___________________
Social Entrepreneur of the Year for 2008 in India
Arbind Singh, of Nidan was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year for 2008 in India and Singh's non-government organization (NGO), Nidan’s activity was described as building profitable businesses and people's organizations formed and led by assetless, informal workers.
Nidan
In 12 years, Nidan has launched and promoted 20 independent businesses and organizations that are governed and owned through shares by 60,000 urban and rural poor members. The members are organized through 4,618 self-help groups, 75 market committees, 19 cooperatives, two societies and one company. The members include waste workers, rag-pickers, vegetable vendors, construction laborers, domestic helpers, micro-farmers, street traders and other marginalized occupation groups.
Nidan taps into the miniscule individual wealth of the poor, but uses their numerical strength to aggregate it into economies of scale. This process of collectivizing generates social capital, representation and voice for the unorganized poor, which they then leverage to launch their own businesses and become wealth creators.
Nidan Swachdhara Private Ltd. (NSPL) is a Nidan enterprise. It is an urban waste management company formed with initial capital from 1,606 waste workers. NSPL has won multi-crore contracts from the Patna and Jaipur Municipal Corporations.
In 2007-08, Nidan (NGO) earned Rs. 2.9 million (about US$60,000) from a program offering life, health, asset and property insurance to more than 35,250 members. It also received Rs. 45 million (US$925,000) in grants. Its own income was Rs. 8.6 million (US$175,000).
NSPL, the waste management company, had a profit of Rs. 4 million (US$80,000). One has to note that its initial capital base is made up of Rs. 100 (US$2) contributions from each of its 1,606 members -- a total of Rs. 160,600 (US$3,212). The Wama Mahila Swablambi Sakhari Samiti, a cooperative that runs retail outlets, earned Rs. 133,269 (US$2,700). It has 351 members who have put in Rs. 10 (20 cents) each as share capital. The Gharunda Housing Cooperative made Rs. 134,851 (US$2,700). Its shareholding: 103 members chipping in Rs. 103 (US$2) apiece.
American India Foundation supported Nidan for three years so far and is further extending cooperation as it is satisfied with Nidan’s achievements so far. Social entrepreneurs can look for support from AIF.
About American India Foundation
The American India Foundation (AIF, founded 2001) is a nonprofit American development organization that is devoted to accelerating social and economic change in India. The AIF has invested in over 100 Indian non-governmental organizations.
Mission
The American India Foundation is devoted to accelerating social and economic change in India.
Vision
To contribute to building an India where all people can gain access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities and where every Indian can realize their full potential.
To build a trusted bridge between the dreams and aspirations of individuals who care about India and their realization.
To provide a secure channel for philanthropic funding in the US and its effective utilization in India in partnership with best-of-breed NGO’s, foundations and non-profit organizations
To build a professional organization that is secular, transparent, credible, and accountable for all of its activities.
AIF works with partners to implement programs in education, livelihood, and public health sectors in India - with emphases on elementary education, women's empowerment, and HIV/AIDS, respectively. It also implements the Service Corps Fellowship, which sends skilled young Americans to work with NGOs in India for a ten month period. The fellowship helps exchange technical skills, intellectual resources and helps increase the capacity of Indian NGOs to continue their work while giving American leaders a good understanding of India.
AIF works out of New York and Silicon Valley in the US, and New Delhi and Bangalore in India.
Sources:
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4353
http://www.aifoundation.org/about/default.htm#
Short urls
http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/2utb2lsm2k7a/3513
Narayana Rao - 06 Jan 2011