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We unleash talent

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Developed at the University of Amsterdam and the Copenhagen Business School

Our program was developed over a period of four years (2010-2014) at the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and at the Copenhagen Business School (Denmark). Recently, our program was accredited at Rhodes Business School.

SOCIAL INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP,
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

“

I never ever would have
believed it was possible
to come up with, and
start businesses within
five days

BRIDGIT EVANS - MD, SA Breweries Foundation

Socionext helps people to come up with, start and sustain a business. All within five days.

Socionext offers a five-day accelerated workshop that teaches people how to come up with, start and sustain a business. Does that sound fast? Yes, it does! but it leads to real and lasting results.

We focus on social innovation and entrepreneurship, and take participants through a step-by-step process: from the first ideas through prototype design and the development of a realistic viable product.

An Opportunity of Hope

Working with partners is central to the vision of Socionext and key to successful outcomes in the communities in which we work.

Partners like Lathitha Development Centre in Gonubie, the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, who have a long-standing footprint in the community of Mzamomhle Township where we have run a number of successful workshops now.

Partners like these are crucial in helping us recruit participants for the workshops, in providing access to key resources like training venues and in assisting with hands-on coordination on the ground. By utilising this model, we are able to bring the Socionext programme to a wide variety of communities while supporting organisations on the ground and promoting entrepreneurship at scale.

Watch Bridgit Evans of the SAB Foundation give a testimonial on the Socionext 5 day business start-up programme:
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RESULTS THAT MAKE US PROUD

In December 2022 we concluded our M&E survey window for the year. During this period, we spoke with 631 participants who attended workshops from 2019 – 2022 across South Africa.

During these chats we spoke about what they are up to, their goals, their progress, and helped them through the challenges they face.

Although these micro-enterprises are small, they create significant value for the communities that need it most.

For this most recent survey window we found that 322 (51%) of those we contacted are active in business!

The average unemployment rate for this cohort is only 23%
compared to 68% at time of workshop, a significant decrease.

The 322 active businesses deliver real economic value to their communities. Especially considering these are predominantly rural communities where there are few resources and opportunities.

At the time of being surveyed these businesses were collectively turning over 1.48 million ZAR per month and in total 688 people (including the owners) gained employment through these enterprises.

INTERESTED? GET INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM


Become our partner and help us change the world

Socionext collaborates with universities and the business sector. That way we offer opportunities for both students and unemployed youth to develop social entrepreneurship.

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