Social Enterprise Schools

We believe in the power of social entrepreneurship to help young people reach their full potential.  

In 2007, we launched Social Enterprise Schools in Scotland, and since then we have worked with 55,000 young people in 7 countries across the world. 

More than ever, we need social entrepreneurship to tackle the challenges we face as a society.   

How Social Enterprise Schools works:  

Social Enterprise Schools is a pupil-led programme which is delivered by social entrepreneurs who are experts at facilitating groups of young people. It is based around asking groups two key questions:  

Question 1: What do you care about?  

We ask young people to reflect on their local communities and identify an issue that they genuinely care about and want to solve. This could be about the environment, the economy, helping their local area, or anything else… the choice is theirs! 

 

Question 2: How will you make change happen?

We inspire young people to create a real-life social enterprise in school, supporting them as they launch their idea and social change. Their social enterprise idea will depend on their identified issue. 

 

Our Impact

Through Social Enterprise Schools, we help young people reach their full potential, as they develop a range of critical skills, become more employable and have a meaningful impact on their communities.  

Our 22/23 survey results from the young people participating in the programme in England: 

 

This is a world-class example of an effective awareness-raising and capacity-building initiative. Social Enterprise Academy is preparing the next generation of social enterprise leaders, supporters, volunteers and customers. SEWF and the social enterprise movement is highly appreciative of your innovation and endeavour.

Gerry Higgins, Co-Founder & Managing Director of the Social Enterprise World Forum 

How Social Enterprise Schools is empowering young people around the world:

Scotland

In partnership with The Scottish Government, the mission is to get Social Enterprise Schools into every school in Scotland.

South Africa

Enabling pupils and teachers in South Africa to set up successful, pupil-led social enterprises in their schools.

England

Relaunched in 2022, the programme has already reached 1000+ young people in England.

Australia

Empowering young changemakers across Australia to become the change they want to see in the world.

Egypt

2 schools in Egypt meet to explore pressing social issues and how to solve them.

Malaysia

Developing financial literacy through social enterprise in Kuala Lumpur.

Malawi

Pupils in Blantyre, Malawi share their experiences during a pilot of Social Enterprise Schools.

Global meet-up

Giving young people in Scotland and Malaysia the opportunity to connect over their experiences with the programme.

In the news

Read on for Social Enterprise Schools stories that made it into national or regional press.

Get Involved

To find out how Social Enterprise Schools can make a difference near you, please get in touch!
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Social Enterprise Schools allowed so many members of my class a chance to be creative, innovative and enjoy trying new ways to overcome obstacles. The sense of team created through the project was great!

Pupil, Dornoch Academy, Scotland

Social Enterprise Schools’ impact on young people’s confidence, agency and resilience rivals any programme I’ve seen in a decade of teaching in New York City schools. They give a voice to the voiceless and allow students who might not succeed in a traditional academic environment to flourish and thrive.

Roxanne A Binaso, Fulbright Scholar and PhD Candidate researching ‘The Role of Social Enterprise in Education’