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Case Studies in Social Entrepreneurship

Real-world examples of social enterprises creating positive impact across Europe

Learning from Practice

These case studies showcase successful social enterprises from across the ERUA network, demonstrating how innovative business models can address pressing social and environmental challenges.

Each case study highlights the challenge addressed, the innovative solution implemented, and the measurable impact achieved. Students analyze these examples to understand the principles of effective social entrepreneurship and apply lessons to their own project development.

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Las Cocinas Workshop: A Social Entrepreneurship Initiative
Las Cocinas Workshop: A Social Entrepreneurship Initiative
Democracy & Human Rights, Inclusion & Gender Equality

This Social Business Plan addresses the limited availability of inclusive, high-quality, and customized educational resources for individuals with visual impairments and other specific learning needs. Despite advances in inclusive education policies, many educational environments still lack effective didactic tools that address sensory diversity. Moreover, there is a lack of educational resources in STEAM vocations, compromising the quality of education where traditional learning methodologies prevail.

Status: Pilot / prototype Development Stage: Prototype or pilot

ES705 - Gran Canaria (Spain)

Related SDGs:
SDG 4
SDG 10
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Contact person: Paula González Suárez
Canarias Retro
Canarias Retro
Environmental Transition Democracy & Human Rights, Inclusion & Gender Equality Interculturality & Multilingualism

The “Canarias Retro” project is a youth-led initiative dedicated to reconnecting young people in the Canary Islands with their cultural heritage through the recreation of historical photographs. It addresses social challenges of identity loss and community disconnection by fostering historical awareness and cultural pride. Using creative participation, the project empowers youth to preserve collective memory and strengthen social cohesion in a rapidly changing world.

Status: Temporarily paused Development Stage: Already founded

ES705 - Gran Canaria (Spain)

Related SDGs:
SDG 3
SDG 4
SDG 5
SDG 8
SDG 10
SDG 11
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Contact person: Elena Díaz Rua-Figueroa
Abdallah Sustainable Building Solutions (Affordable, Eco-Friendly Building Materials for Tyre, Lebanon)
Abdallah Sustainable Building Solutions (Affordable, Eco-Friendly Building Materials for Tyre, Lebanon)
Environmental Transition

Lebanon faces a housing affordability crisis, worsened by economic instability and dis- placement after war and financial crisis since 2019, particularly in Tyre, where low-income families struggle to access quality housing. Cement production, a key industry, contributes approximately 8% to global CO2 emissions (IEA, 2023), exacerbating environmental challenges in a region with limited sustainable construction options.

Status: Active / running Development Stage: Already founded

ITI33 - Macerata (Italy)

Related SDGs:
SDG 7
SDG 11
SDG 13
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Contact person: Ismail Abdallah
sOLDcial - Bridging Generations, One Weekend at a Time
sOLDcial - Bridging Generations, One Weekend at a Time
Interculturality & Multilingualism Migration, Democracy & Human Rights Inclusion & Gender Equality

The Dual Crisis of Isolation and Integration The SOLDcial initiative targets a complex, two-sided social challenge prevalent in many European university towns, particularly Macerata, Italy: the crisis of elderly loneliness and social isolation and the parallel difficulty of international student integration. 1. The Loneliness Epidemic Among the Elderly Italy has one of the oldest populations in the world, and Macerata's region reflects this demographic shift. For residents aged 65 and over, especially those living alone, the weekends—when most services are closed and family visits may be less frequent—represent a peak period for loneliness. This is not merely a social inconvenience; it is a serious public health issue. Chronic social isolation is linked to increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, heart disease, and premature mortality. The challenge, therefore, is to create meaningful, consistent, and safe opportunities for companionship that enrich the lives of seniors, allowing them to remain active participants in their community and share their invaluable life experience. 2. The Isolation of International Students Simultaneously, the University of Macerata hosts a growing population of international students, many of whom arrive excited but quickly encounter difficulties in full social and cultural integration. Students often find themselves confined to campus social circles or, worse, their homes. Key barriers to integration include: language acquisition (finding native speakers to practice Italian outside the classroom), cultural understanding (navigating local customs and traditions), and simply a sense of belonging. This lack of connection hinders their academic experience, limits their personal growth, and can lead to its own form of isolation and mental stress, especially during the long weekend hours. 3. The Gap: Missed Intergenerational Opportunity The core social challenge addressed by SOLDcial is the failure to bridge these two isolated groups. On one side are seniors with a wealth of time, wisdom, and a desire for connection; on the other are students with energy, a desire to learn, and a need for authentic cultural exposure. Currently, these two groups operate in separate silos, missing out on a symbiotic relationship that could solve both problems simultaneously. SOLDcial acts as the necessary facilitator, transforming a dual social deficit into a powerful, mutually beneficial asset for the Macerata community. By focusing on simple, structured weekend engagements, the program directly mitigates loneliness while turbocharging student immersion.

Status: Idea stage Development Stage: Prototype or Pilot

ITI33 - Macerata (Italy)

Related SDGs:
SDG 3
SDG 4
SDG 10
SDG 11
SDG 17
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Contact person: Yeboah Kofi Agyei
Sferiguida -- Receive Help from Insiders! - Ricevi aiuto da testimoni!
Sferiguida -- Receive Help from Insiders! - Ricevi aiuto da testimoni!
Migration Democracy & Human Rights & Inclusion & Gender Equality Interculturality & Multilingualism

Sferiguida is a social mobile app that I want to create for the community in Macerata, Italy, to help immigrants integrate into social life. As an immigrant myself, I’ve seen how hard it can be to connect with locals and find reliable information. The app would bridge this gap by linking newcomers and citizens, promoting cultural exchange, language learning, and collaboration on community issues. It will foster inclusion and shared growth in Macerata

Status: Idea stage Development Stage: Early idea

ITI33 - Macerata (Italy)

Related SDGs:
SDG 4
SDG 10
SDG 11
SDG 16
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Contact person: Egor Smirnov

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