Social entrepreneurship is the process of creating an innovative solution to a social issue, such as gun violence, climate change, or gentrification. We’ve witnessed social entrepreneurship’s profound impact on young people for over 20 years, watching young people discover their power to create change in their communities. Here are five reasons why you should be talking about youth social entrepreneurship:
1. Instilling a sense of agency in young people
It’s never been easy to be a teenager. Today, it’s even harder.
Young people are told they are not experienced enough or old enough to make change.
However, they experience social issues in their schools and communities firsthand.
Social entrepreneurship empowers young people to see themselves as capable, powerful changemakers. In the process of creating solutions, they discover their purpose and passion.
Turning an idea into a reality instills self-confidence and a realization that they too can be leaders: One LearnServe student created a venture to reduce the race and gender gap in healthcare leadership.
2. Teaching empathy
Social entrepreneurship’s inherent focus on advancing social justice guides young people to approach issues with empathy.
The process involves analyzing, innovating, acting, and reflecting – a method that involves social-emotional learning (This four-step process is also the LearnServe method!).
Human-centered research puts us in others’ shoes and helps us challenge assumptions. Young people can learn to distinguish allyship from saviorism, for example.
3. Developing crucial skills for the future
Social entrepreneurship involves critical thinking. Young people take on problem-solving, challenge assumptions, and decide whether or not to pivot or persevere.
Young people gain research skills while creating social ventures. They learn how to interview, how to validate problems, and how to conduct market research.
Pitching their ventures involves public speaking. Young people learn how to captivate an audience through storytelling and answer tough questions.
4. Building more inclusive communities
The social ventures young people develop bridge communities, start conversations, and create real impact. LearnServe alumni have developed ventures to tackle period poverty, empower immigrants through tandem language learning with local residents, and expand healthcare access in rural places.
The social-emotional learning that comes from developing their project carries over into their professional and personal lives. They act with kindness, grow their cultural competencies, stay curious, and take time to reflect. These qualities make a positive impact on their friendships, schools, families, and communities.
5. Moving from empowering the next generation of leaders to seeing them as leaders of today
Social entrepreneurship puts young people in the driver’s seat. It challenges us, as adults, to make way and make space for new voices.
If a young person expresses anger at the world and a desire to make change, how can we empower them? Social entrepreneurship tells us to give them tools, resources, and guidance to bring these ideas to life.
Trusting youth makes a difference: Did you know that 67% of LearnServe alumni stay civically engaged in a leadership capacity after our programs, according to a long-term impact study of our organization?
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Since 2003, LearnServe International has empowered over 2,000 young people to see themselves as changemakers. Join us in supporting youth-led social action by making a donation today, joining our email list, or following us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn).