As the number of social enterprises grows exponentially, so does the number of organizations being launched to support them. Although there were a few early pioneers – REDF, ENP and NEsST, all founded in 1997 - most of the social enterprise support organizations have emerged only in the last few years. Some provide a specific resource that social enterprises need to thrive, such as mentoring or capital, but many have developed comprehensive ecosystem models.

These ecosystem builders often provide services to a specific geographic area, but some focus on an age group or industry. And although each has a unique approach, the basic service offerings of each look similar, even though they may have been developed in isolation. Most have developed a set of programs that strive to follow the approach that was outlined in the first article in this ecosystem series: 1) build an engaged community and grow the pipeline, 2) increase business acumen, 3) make/grow markets, 4) infuse capital, and 5) foster societal support through demonstrated impact.

UK lawyer Shauneen Lambe is working to change the treatment of young offenders caught up in the criminal justice system, from punishment and stigmatization to one defined by positive intervention. The organization she founded, Just for Kids Law, offers a holistic approach toward achieving that goal by training legal practitioners, advocating for legislative reform, and tackling the root causes of youth offending.

SEE Change recently chatted with the Ashoka Fellow (2012) to discuss what inspired her to launch the social enterprise, the challenges she faces each day, and the successes she's most proud of.

SunDrum Economy tells the story of the economy our ancestors built and the one many people are now striving to forge, balancing respect for nature and our current needs with the interests of future generations.

It hit me as soon as we made the sharp turn off the gloriously serpentine Highway 1 at the signpost that read “Esalen Institute”. Like a cold, sharp gust of wind signifying the first day of winter, it caught me off-guard before knocking me off-balance. And then it took my breath hostage, refusing to let it go for the next 48 hours.

“It” being a mix of awe, wonderment and pure, unabashed gratitude, the kind that catches you unawares. The kind that causes you to stop dead in your tracks, needing a moment to regain your bearings. The kind that touches you somewhere deep and reminds you why you do the things you do. "It is for these moments," it whispers gently in your ear. These. Exact. Moments.

In the March issue of SEE Change Magazine, Mike Rowlands, wrote about the power of collaboration. He shared insights into the success of the Rainforest Solutions Project, a coalition formed by Greenpeace, the BC Sierra Club and ForestEthics, to fight the deforestation of BC’s Great Bear Rainforest. The article illustrates the power of collaboration to help social leaders solve complex problems.

Mike outlined four factors that help ensure collaborations are effective. These include: networking for results; honouring stakeholders; openly sharing knowledge; and navigating the socio-political context. I’d like to zoom in on factor three - openly sharing knowledge - in this month’s post.

Artist and social entrepreneur, Kim Smiley recently sat down with SEE Change Magazine to discuss Sapphô, her line of wearable art pieces, and its social mission. As a social enterprise, Sapphô creates employment opportunities for marginalized populations in Toronto, encouraging women toward self-sufficiency by empowering them with training, Canadian work experience and a living wage.

There is a common trade-off that many agriculture-based communities face in today’s globalized world, stemming from a desire to preserve their cultural heritage and environment, while at the same time having to earn immediate cash and compete with fast-paced production systems. This often results in vast deforestation and soil erosion, which has a direct impact on sustainable livelihoods of communities.

But, does there need to be a trade-off between community values, conservation and economic necessity?

On May 27th in Calgary, more than 11,200 people participated in a series of running events organized by the Calgary Marathon Society. Options included a 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon events, with a 1km children’s marathon for 500 enthusiastic and aspiring young runners.

The Society is quite effective at encouraging participation, particularly among those planning for the longer events. For most people, running a 10k, half marathon or 42.5 kilometres is not something to be done the day after pulling oneself up off of the couch for the first time in months. For success, these races require planning, practice and perseverance. A vision for the end result is highly recommended. It's the same with SROI.

A social enterprise aims to achieve a triple bottom line (TBL) by implementing ethical social and environmental practices and policies, while still maintaining economic benefits. People. Planet. Profit.

Most socially aware enterprises want to implement every positive social and environmental initiative possible. But some initiatives can be costly, and maintaining the economic benefit - profit - is crucial for the company to survive. The reality is that a company may not be able to implement everything on its wish list. On top of this, what may be a great program for one company, could be detrimental to another.

Social enterprises among the biggest potential beneficiaries

India is inching ever closer to being the world’s first country to formally mandate companies of a certain size to spend two percent of their profits on CSR activities. The CSR provision is part of a revised Companies Bill, last updated almost six decades ago.

The lower house (Lok Sabha) passed the legislation in December 2012 and it is now before the Rajya Sabha (upper house) for ratification. It was expected to pass in early May, but the house was adjourned before that could take place. With the support of a majority of parties, it is expected to become law soon.