Social entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030. These 17 goals are ambitious, and traditional government and corporate actions alone won’t be enough to reach them. This is where social entrepreneurs step in, offering innovative, grassroots solutions that can drive impactful change.
At the heart of social entrepreneurship is the desire to create social impact through innovative business models. Social entrepreneurs combine profit with purpose, identifying problems within their communities and developing sustainable solutions. Whether it’s providing access to clean water, promoting renewable energy, or reducing plastic waste, these entrepreneurs find unique ways to address SDG challenges. Their adaptability and creativity allow them to respond quickly to local needs, making them vital players in achieving global targets.
Many of the SDGs, such as Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and Goal 13 (Climate Action), require a deep understanding of local contexts. Social entrepreneurs often operate within their own communities, giving them the insights needed to develop context-specific solutions that are both effective and sustainable. By focusing on grassroots-level impact, they can scale their efforts and influence policy changes that drive wider systemic shifts.
Social entrepreneurship also contributes to SDG Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating jobs, especially for marginalised groups. Their business models focus on inclusivity, empowering women, youth, and disadvantaged communities. In doing so, they reduce inequalities (Goal 10) and build more resilient economies that prioritise people and the planet over profit.
Finally, social entrepreneurs often work in partnership with governments, NGOs, and private companies. This collaboration is key to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which highlights the importance of working together to meet the SDGs. Through partnerships, social enterprises can amplify their impact, scaling their solutions globally.
References
Grieco, C., Michelini, L. and Iasevoli, G. (2015) ‘Social entrepreneurship and the sustainable development goals: The role of impact measurement’, ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322927992_Social_Entrepreneurship_and_the_Sustainable_Development_Goals_The_Role_of_Impact_Measurement
World Economic Forum (2020) ‘How social entrepreneurs are tackling the SDGs’, World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/09/how-social-entrepreneurs-are-tackling-the-sustainable-development-goals/
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (n.d.) Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Available at: https://www.schwabfound.org/
British Council (2019) The role of social entrepreneurship in achieving the SDGs. Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.org/society/social-enterprise/reports/role-social-entrepreneurship-achieving-sdgs