Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

COURSES AND TRAININGS

Summer and Winter Schools

Overview and purpose

Do you have an idea to tackle a social challenge and want to turn it into a sustainable enterprise? This 6-day summer school will provide you with the essential skills to launch and scale a successful social venture.

Through interactive sessions, real-world case studies, and practical workshops, you will gain the tools to design an effective business model, access funding, and expand your impact. Plus, you’ll experience Rome’s social innovation ecosystem and take part in a guided city tour.

Learning Outcome

By the end of this summer school, participants will be able to:

Design a sustainable business model for a social enterprise.
Understand impact measurement tools and growth strategies.
Access funding opportunities, from crowdfunding to impact investing.
Apply design thinking and innovation to social problem-solving.
Develop a compelling marketing and communication strategy to engage stakeholders.
Expand their network through connections with experts and social entrepreneurs.

Admission information

Language: Italian
Language level prerequisites: B1 or higher
Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, educators, and NGO leaders looking to create or develop social enterprises.
Prerequisites: No formal education required, but participants are encouraged to bring project ideas or social challenges to work on.
Maximum number of participants: 20

location

Rome, Italy – In-person training with interactive workshops and cultural activities.

Duration and Daily Schedule

6 days (including a guided cultural tour of Rome).

Daily Schedule

Day 1: Foundations of Social Entrepreneurship

Morning: Definitions, global trends, and the impact of social enterprises.
Afternoon: Creating a business model with social impact.

Day 2: Innovation and Design Thinking for Social Impact

Morning: Innovative strategies to address social challenges.
Afternoon: Hands-on workshop, applying design thinking to social issues.

Day 3: Funding and Sustainability

Morning: Funding tools: grants, impact investing, crowdfunding.
Afternoon: Building a financially sustainable long-term model.

Day 4: Communication, Marketing, and Scaling Impact

Morning: Crafting an effective narrative for your social enterprise.
Afternoon: Growth strategies and impact measurement.

Day 5: Guided Tour of Rome – Inspiration and Culture

Exploration of key sites of innovation and social change, such as the Testaccio neighborhood and the former slaughterhouse area, now a cultural and social startup hub.
Reflection on the connections between culture, innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

Day 6: Pitch, Networking, and Strategic Application

Morning: Presentation of project ideas: Pitch session with expert feedback.
Afternoon: Meetings with professionals in the field and closing ceremony with final certification.

Why Choose This Course

Hands-on approach: Practical tools to start and grow a social enterprise.
Networking opportunities: Connect with experts, investors, and changemakers.
Global insights: Explore best practices and success stories from the sector.
Unique cultural experience: Learn and get inspired in the heart of Rome.

What Sets Us Apart

From concept to action: More than theory, this course provides a roadmap to build a concrete action plan.
Tailored content: Designed for aspiring social entrepreneurs, with applicable strategies.
Access to a global network: Participants and trainers from various sectors and countries, opening doors for international collaboration.