Ein neuer Begriff poppt in der sozial orientierten Business-Welt auf: Social Business. Was ist das nur?
What is an NGO, what is an NPO, what is a non-profit organization? We have already tried to shed some light on this in our article on the definition of NGOs - and it's not easy. Distinctions are not always clear and distinct, and there are hardly any precise, scientifically based definitions.
For several years now, however, there has been another term in the tangle of non-profit and social organizations: The so-called social business. What is it all about?
What is a social business?
Ein Social Business könnte man mit „Sozialunternehmen“ oder „soziales Unternehmen“ auf German übersetzen. Dabei ist ein Unternehmen gemeint, das soziale oder ökologische Probleme lösen möchte. Das Hauptziel des Social Business ist also ein soziales, wirtschaftliche Interessen sind dabei untergeordnet. Dennoch ist ein Social Business grundsätzlich ein Profit-Unternehmen, das Gewinn erwirtschaftet. Es finanziert sich also weitgehend selbst.
Is a social business an NGO?
There is no separate legal form for social businesses in Austria, so this question is not so easy to answer. Social enterprises could be seen as a hybrid between a non-profit organization and a for-profit company. In 2015, the first major study on social businesses in Austria was initiated by WU Vienna and AWS (Austria Wirtschaftsservice). The results of the study on social businesses are well worth reading and can be found on futurezone.
What well-known social enterprises are there in Austria?
Beispiele von erfolgreichen Social Businesses gibt es mittlerweile viele. Sekundärdaten zufolge gab es 2015 zwischen 1.200 und 2.000 dieser Organisationen in Österreich, bis 2025 könnte sich die Zahl verdoppeln bis verzehnfachen. Hier liegt also großes Potential – und viele spannende Mitarbeitsmöglichkeiten für die Jobsuchenden unter euch!
The umbrella brand magdas from Caritas (or Caritas Services GmbH) successfully implements social business projects, such as the well-known magdas HOTEL in the 2nd district. Sindbad 's mentoring system(NGO portrait of Sindbad) and Three Coins, the development center for financial literacy(NGO portrait of Three Coins), are also successful social enterprises.
Who will support me in setting up a social enterprise?
The study on social enterprises (2015) has shown that it is not possible to get started without start-up support. Fortunately, the range of funding and support available to people starting a business to solve social problems has greatly improved in recent years. Social entrepreneurs can find advice and support from the following agencies and institutions:
This platform aims to make social businesses better known throughout the German-speaking world. You can get to know numerous successful social enterprises here, sorted according to areas of activity. Information on funding applications and opportunities can also be found here.
- VSE Label
Um Social Enterprises zu fördern und ihnen einen öffentlich anerkannten Nachweis für ihre Tätigkeiten zu bieten, wurde im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Economy in Zusammenarbeit mit der Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws), dem Social Entrepreneurship Network Austria (SENA) und der Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKÖ) im Dezember 2022 das Label „Verified Social Enterprise” (VSE) entwickelt. Nach erfolgreicher Prüfung und Eintragung in das öffentliche Register kann jedes Social Enterprise, unabhängig von der jeweiligen Rechtsform, dieses Label offiziell führen. NGOjobs darf sich glücklich schätzen zu den Label-Trägern zu zählen. All Informationen zum Label und der Vergabe könnt ihr in unserem Blogartikel „NGOjobs ist jetzt offiziell ein “Verified Social Enterprise”! nachlesen.
Soziale Unternehmen in Österreich
The association Social Entrepreneurship Network Austria - SENA is an interest group for all those who own a social business. It offers personal advice, workshops and networking opportunities with investors. There are also monthly community events where you can get in touch with other social entrepreneurs.
Networking platform for innovative projects. Anyone looking for a co-working space, advice or a suitable professional network may find what they are looking for here.
The SIA is a competition for student social entrepreneurs and is celebrating its tenth birthday in 2019! Budding social entrepreneurs are supported in the development and implementation of their innovative ideas.
THE hotspot for social entrepreneurs. There are networking events, pitches and events where you can get to know co-founders. The socially engaged community meets here!
The Ministry of Social Affairs supports innovative social enterprises with a grant of up to €100,000. Information on submission and the funding guidelines can be found on the website of the aws (austria wirtschaftsservice).
Social Businesses in Deutschland
An important contact point for all social entrepreneurs in Germany who want to network in the sector.
Important platform for all start-ups from Munich and the surrounding area! Events, contacts, stories from the Munich start-up scene can be found here, including information for social entrepreneurs.
Links
- Spannender Lektüretipp „Social Business: Start-ups mit Herz brauchen Starthilfe“ (futurezone, 2015)
- Aktuelle, durchaus auch kritische Auseinandersetzung mit Sozialunternehmen: „Die System-Tüftler“ (zeit.de, 2019)
- Social business from the perspective of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
