Helpful suggestions

What can 3 to 4 students achieve in six weeks while keeping up with the demands of their studies and courses? Social entrepreneurship is possible in various ways:

  1. Cooperation with existing non-profit organizations, clubs, and citizens’ initiatives
    „Own income“ is the difference between social enterprises and purely charitable organizations as well as temporary civilian initiatives: it allows for independence and sustainable activities. Thus, student teams might, for example, involve themselves in concept development for existing NGOs in order to assist them with the creation or broadening of revenue streams.
    Examples: Implementation of a marketing campaign aiming to expand the membership base of an environmental protection association; facilitation of access to new sales channels for organizations promoting fair trade; product development or refinement in cooperation with workshops employing handicapped people; support of “young enterprise” initiatives in schools…

  2. Cooperation with private companies or government units
    Under the assumption that "(Corporate) Social Responsibility“ is relevant not only for large corporations but for firms and government agencies of all sizes, student teams can make a contribution towards broadened awareness of sustainability issues.
    Examples: Analysis of the energy and resource consumption of a company or government agency, identification of easy-to-implement proposals for improvement and realization of measures proposed; organisation of a company’s summer festival combined with the collection of in kind or cash donations for a specific good cause; mobilisation of volunteers and resources for therenovation of a children’s playground in the neighbourhood…

  3. Own project
    Maybe a students club with specific goals already exists, or there are obvious needs in the direct environment of your university or a partner institution. In these cases you might be able to convince and mobilise other fellow students, staff, professors or fellow citizens to contribute to a project and make a difference.
    Examples: In 2007 Danish students mobilised hundreds of citizens to take part in a locally implemented “soup day” in which every interested citizen invited his/her neighbours for a joint soup meal: the objective was to improve communication, neighbourhood relations and the quality of life in local environments. With regard to specific target groups in need (local or distant), endangered habitats or species, student teams can have a great impact through their labour input or event organisation. If technical know-how is available within the team, tools and durable household goods can be modified or redesigned in such a way that they fit the needs and skills of specific people…