Reliving the inspiring experience of AACOSE 7.

INTRODUCTION

The 7th Annual Africa Conference on Social Entrepreneurship (AACOSE 7) was a remarkable gathering of visionaries, social innovators, social entrepreneurs, policymakers, government, international non-governmental organisations (INGO), academics, funders, accelerators and changemakers dedicated to advancing social entrepreneurship in Africa. Held from May 15th to 17th, 2024, at Tangaza University in Nairobi, Kenya, this year's conference, themed "Building Networks to Advance Social Entrepreneurship in Africa," brought together over 500 participants from 12 countries, highlighting the growing momentum of social entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable development in Africa.

Inspiring Beginnings

The conference commenced with a powerful and inspiring opening, emphasizing the critical role of social entrepreneurship in tackling Africa's socio-economic challenges. The day's discussions centered on human capital development, exploring innovative approaches to education and workforce development. The Breakout sessions delved into environmental sustainability, legal frameworks, and healthcare. A plenary session on agriculture and food sovereignty featured expert presentations in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Perspectives:

1. Collaboration for Change: Social entrepreneurship can be a powerful catalyst for addressing socio-economic challenges when driven by collaborative efforts and shared goals.
2. Human Capital Development: Investing in human capital is crucial for equipping future leaders with the skills necessary for innovative problem-solving and sustainable development.
3. Sustainability Focus: Environmental sustainability and agriculture are vital areas where social entrepreneurship can create impactful solutions, enhancing food security and environmental health.

?Deepening Insights

The second day continued with insightful speeches, panel discussions, and masterclasses. The focus included international partnerships in advancing social entrepreneurship and various financing models applicable within Africa. Afternoon masterclasses offered practical knowledge on innovative financing models, unlocking entrepreneurial potential, and making strategic partnerships work for social enterprises. The day also saw the launch of the Network of African Social Enterprises (NASE) , aimed at unifying social entrepreneurs across the continent to amplify their impact. The network was created by Social Enterprise Kenya (SEK), Social Enterprise Ghana (SEG), Social Enterprise Ethiopia (SEE) and Réseau des Entrepreneurs Sociaux de C?te d'Ivoire (RESCI) , in collaboration with the Institute for Social Transformation-Tangaza University .

Perspectives:

1. International Collaboration: Global partnerships can enhance the effectiveness of social entrepreneurship by providing access to diverse resources, expertise, and funding opportunities.
2. Innovative Financing Models: Exploring various financing models is crucial for supporting and scaling social enterprises, ensuring they can achieve long-term sustainability.
3. Refugee Integration: Social entrepreneurship can play a significant role in integrating refugees into local economies, fostering inclusion and economic development.

Empowering the Future

The final day emphasized youth empowerment, sustainability, and academic discourse. Highlights included discussions on the pivotal role of young people in shaping Africa's future, financial literacy, and civic engagement. A high-level panel explored the role of cultural and creative industries in addressing youth unemployment and poverty. The afternoon plenary session focused on innovative projects and reducing carbon emissions. Breakout sessions covered funding for social innovation, personal branding, and impact incubation.?

Perspectives:

1. Youth as Catalysts: Young people are critical drivers of social change and innovation, and their active involvement is essential for addressing Africa's most pressing challenges.
2. Creative Industries Impact: The cultural and creative industries offer unique opportunities for addressing unemployment and poverty, contributing to economic and social development.
3. Sustainability and Innovation: Innovative projects focused on sustainability can create new opportunities for youth and contribute to a greener future.

Key Takeaways

• The dream of Africa has to become a reality through our efforts, our work, and our commitment.
• Young people are pivotal in shaping Africa's future.
• Financial literacy is crucial for empowering the next generation of leaders.
• Active civic engagement is key to unlocking potential and fostering sustainable development.
• Cultural and creative industries play a significant role in addressing youth unemployment and poverty.
• Reducing carbon emissions is essential for creating sustainable opportunities for youth.
• Our collective stories and efforts will lead the way to a brighter future for Africa.
• Cross-sector collaboration is crucial in creating a vibrant social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa.?

Sandbox Art Gallery: Showcasing African Creativity

The Tangaza Social Innovation Sandbox ?organized an Art Gallery at AACOSE7 that featured young African artists, showing how art can help bring social change. This colourful event celebrated the mix of art, culture, and social innovation.

Exhibitors and Innovations

AACOSE7 had 32 social entrepreneurs who exhibited their solutions in sustainable farming, healthcare, and technology. The exhibition helped them connect with possible partners, investors, and collaborators.

Partnerships and Collaboration: The Key to Success

AACOSE7 was successful because of partnerships between Tangaza University's Institute for Social Transformation-Tangaza University and various social enterprise organizations. It attracted 18 sponsors and 20 partners, showing the power of working together to drive social change.

Comboni Forum: Addressing Social and Pastoral Challenges

The Comboni Forum organised by Comboni Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship , brought together delegates from several African countries to talk about social and pastoral issues, focusing on youth empowerment and creative solutions. Participants highlighted the importance of linking Comboni projects and pastoral work social entrepreneurship and promoting social innovation amongst youth.

AACOSE Academia Forum: Advancing Social Entrepreneurship Education

On the third day, the AACOSE Academia Forum gathered scholars to discuss new models in social entrepreneurship education. The forum aimed to improve education and collaboration between educational institutions and social enterprises across Africa. A total of? 13 Researchers and practitioners presented their research and case studies on various themes ranging from Education and Social Entrepreneurship, Technology Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship and Economics. ?

3ZERO CLUB Youth Festival

The third day of AACOSE7 was a standout moment, featuring the vibrant 3ZERO Club Youth Festival, inspired by the vision of creating a world of 3 zeros by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus , renowned as the father of microfinance .

Prof. Yunus’s concept of a world of 3 zeros—Zero Unemployment, Zero Poverty, and Zero Net Carbon Emission—served as the foundation for the festival, which celebrated youth innovation and social change. The event brought together 200 young participants who showcased their social innovation projects, emphasizing their critical role in shaping a sustainable future.

Highlights included the thought provoking panel discussions, break-out sessions and skills showcassing where talented young artists displayed creative works, demonstrating the powerful intersection of art and social change. Through engaging activities and showcases, the festival underscored the importance of empowering young voices in the social entrepreneurship landscape while celebrating their remarkable efforts to drive impactful initiatives.

Impact of AACOSE7

• Learning: One participant shared how their participation inspired them to expand their focus on environmental sustainability and energy conservation. They realized the importance of initiating impactful changes within their immediate environment, rather than looking for distant solutions. This learning broadened their approach to addressing social and environmental challenges.
• Connection: Several valuable connections were made during the event, particularly with speakers. These interactions helped attendees expand their perspectives on potential interventions and strategies. One participant specifically gained insights into new ways to broaden their areas of focus by observing successful approaches taken by others.
• New Partnership: A participant from Zambia, motivated by the successes of social entrepreneurship communities in Kenya and Ethiopia, was encouraged to establish a new network of social entrepreneurs. This led to the creation of "Social Enterprise Zambia," a platform designed to foster collaboration and innovation within the region.

Movement Building: The impact stories highlight how AACOSE7 has encouraged participants to take tangible action. The connections, learning, and partnerships formed at the conference have inspired a collective movement, with individuals committed to tackling social and environmental challenges through innovative solutions and collaboration.

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