What is civic entrepreneurship and why is it important?
Wondering what a 'civic entrepreneur' is? Read this quick guide.
Civic entrepreneurship involves using our skills and resources to create sustainable change within a community. While it does incorporate elements of business and profit-making, the primary goal is to generate positive social impact rather than personal wealth.
It's important to note that civic entrepreneurship is not limited to business owners or non-profit leaders; anyone who seeks to make their community a better place through innovation and creativity is considered to be a civic entrepreneur.
Civic entrepreneurs come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, including artists, designers, technologists, engineers, and researchers, and can be found in both small startups and large corporations.
📚Civic Entrepreneurship in Higher Education
Civic entrepreneurship in higher education involves using entrepreneurial skills and principles to create innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges.
In higher education, civic entrepreneurship may be practiced through initiatives that encourage students to apply their academic knowledge to address real-world problems or by creating products/services that aim to make a positive social impact.
📈The Rise of Civic Entrepreneurship in HE
Civic entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important in UK universities, with many institutions recognising the need to develop graduates equipped to tackle complex social and environmental challenges.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on social enterprise and entrepreneurship education in UK universities, with various courses, programmes and initiatives to support students in developing their skills.
Below is an example from the University of Nottingham, showcasing how they collaborate to tackle societal and economic issues in the UK and globally.
In addition to supporting student entrepreneurship, UK universities use their research expertise and resources to address social and environmental challenges.
This can take the form of collaborative research projects and Knowledge Exchange with external partners, establishing social innovation centres, or research groups focused on driving change around specific social issues.
🤔Why is Civic Entrepreneurship important?
By applying entrepreneurial principles to social and environmental issues, individuals and organisations can create sustainable and impactful solutions that improve the lives of communities and the planet.
Civic entrepreneurship can happen anywhere, but it's essential to encourage this thinking at universities because the people who go there will be tomorrow's leaders in business, law, medicine and other fields where they can impact society.
Incorporating civic entrepreneurship into higher education gives staff and students the tools and resources to become change-makers in their communities and pursue careers that align with their values and passions.
Ultimately, civic entrepreneurship has the potential to drive positive social and environmental change while also promoting economic growth and sustainability.
