Ashoka’s Post

Theory of Change (ToC) is a methodology or a criterion for planning, participation, adaptive management, and evaluation that is used in companies, philanthropy, not-for-profit, international development, research, and government sectors to promote social change. A Theory of Change of a social program defines its long-term goals and then maps backward to identify necessary preconditions.

#Importance #of #socialcapital Social capital is a vital resource for individuals, groups, and society. Social capital has been described as a lubricant that facilitates getting things done. It allows people to work together and to access benefits from social relationships. Social capital allows modern economies to function efficiently. Our society, economy, institutions, and political system could not exist without social capital. Social capital refers to the internal social and cultural coherence of society. lets see some importance of social capital in deferent perspectives For #individuals, social capital is important because it is an important source of power and influence that helps people to ‘get by’ and ‘get ahead’. The adage: “it’s not just what you know, but who you know” relates to the powerful effects and importance of social capital. For #groups and organisations social capital is vital to their efficiency and even existence. Social capital enables people to work together and facilitates cooperation and innovation. Any organisation that doesn’t consider the importance of social capital is missing an opportunity for improvement, and risking inefficiencies and peril. For #society, social capital is also important as it allows societal institutions to exist and maintains the coherence of society. It facilitates the cooperation and collaboration of different groups and organisations. It encourages people to be positively social towards one another with a wide range of benefits from reduced crime and corruption, to increased helpfulness and improved cooperation. #Lets_build_our_social_capital.

Scotland is a nation known for its innovation and social conscience. It's no surprise that social enterprises are thriving. These businesses tackle social or environmental issues while generating profits, positively impacting their communities. 1. Impactful & Inclusive: Did you know Scotland boasts over 6,000 social enterprises, with a combined net worth of £7bn? They create jobs, address inequalities, and promote environmental sustainability. Their impact goes far beyond just profits. #socialenterprise #socent #socialgood #socialfirm #startup 2. Diverse & Dynamic: Social enterprises address various social issues, from tackling rural inequality to providing mental health support. Their innovative approaches ensure solutions are tailored to specific community needs. 3. Empowering People: Social enterprises often provide employment opportunities for those facing barriers to traditional workplaces. This fosters inclusion and empowers individuals to contribute their skills and talents. 4. Building a Better Future: Social enterprises champion a values-driven approach to business. They showcase the power of combining economic success with positive social impact, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future. Ready to start your social enterprise? We're the first port of call for aspiring social entrepreneurs. Get in touch to learn how we can help you turn your vision into a reality.

Entrepreneurship offers working mothers a pathway to overcome the motherhood penalty by providing flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to leverage their multitasking skills. #MotherhoodPenalty #WorkingMoms #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance https://lnkd.in/df_bitV8

it is suggested that disabled investment seekers may be up to 400 times less likely to enjoy success than their non-disabled counterparts. The results are taken from the U.K., where some 25% of small businesses are operated by disabled or neurodiverse individuals. The report’s authors additionally noted that 90% of disabled entrepreneurs expressed the belief that they have not been treated equally to nondisabled business owners pursuing investment. ACOA - APECA Opportunities NB Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer/ Bureau de la dirigeante principale de l'accessibilité Department of Justice Canada | Ministère de la Justice du Canada https://lnkd.in/g2f9DHMm

My upbringing in the foster care system deeply shaped my understanding of people and the systemic forces that influence our lives. This experience instilled in me a belief in the inherent goodness of people and the critical role of shared prosperity in fostering sustainable economic growth. Read my latest blog post to learn how shared prosperity goes beyond politics, focusing on creating opportunities that enhance commercial engagement, fair earning potential, and support for entrepreneurial ventures. Together, we can build economic bridges and ensure inclusive growth for all. https://lnkd.in/eqqZwBne #SharedProsperity #CommunityGrowth #EconomicOpportunity

We spend so much resources on human capital, that we forget its how we spend on Social Capital in our organizations that makes things work. Join this upcoming webinar by the International Social Capital Association to gain insights into its practice.

Companies like everyone else have to have a positive and constructive impact in the society other that turning a profit. This is what motivated entrepreneurs to solve problems that society faces and capitalize on the solutions. That however isn’t enough because they also need to give back to the society that played a major role in their fortunes. A company can partake in all four types of corporate social responsibilities which is encouraged but participating in one would do well too.

Enjoyed reading this from Indy Johar setting out “10 provocations for the next 10 years of social innovation”. There were a couple of things which particularly chimed with the work we are doing with councils and local communities at Mutual Ventures. - Innovative responses to the challenges communities and individuals face cannot be focused on single services – an effective response will require “co-ordinated, collaborative and institutional innovation across a movement of actors, agents, institutions and organisations simultaneously.” We’re seeing this a lot in the levelling up and UK Shared Prosperity fund work we are doing with councils. Councils have a big role but also need to be convenors.   - Similarly, innovative responses cannot be single sector focused (e.g. public, voluntary or private only). It needs to be a more comprehensive response centred on a geographical place involving all relevant organisations, communities and individuals. Again, this is something good councils are taking the lead on, acting as the convenor for the efforts of the full range of sectors.   - Finally, and this is more a general worrying point, progressive policy is often stranded in think tanks. Politics is increasingly grounded in fear, polarisation and mistrust which is no basis to build a political mandate for new collective social innovations… not sure what we do about this one! There are loads more useful “provocations” in the article - link below. https://lnkd.in/eHa7eiFN #socialimpact #sustainablebusiness #socialinnovation #society #localgovernment #thirdsector #councils #localauthorities #localgov