We call on all actors to stand by social entrepreneurs as first responders to the COVID-19 crisis and as pioneers of a green, inclusive society and economic system
Leaders on the Frontline: Action Agenda, Social Entrepreneurs, dd. September 2020
We Need Social Entrepreneurs Now More Than Ever.
COVID-19 has exposed the deeply rooted inequities of our systems. In those areas that were hardest hit, hardly any family or community has not been directly affected by COVID-19, losing their lives or loved ones, being pushed out of education, or being unable to protect their jobs and livelihoods. The year ahead unfortunately will not be any different. With the World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report 2021 predicting that vaccines may not reach the global south before 2022 or even 2023, the dark reality is that the most vulnerable among us, especially in emerging and developing countries, remain most at risk.
For decades, social entrepreneurs have been a lifeline for vulnerable populations across the world. During the pandemic they have stepped up as never before to act as first responders to the crisis: Protecting livelihoods, improving access to health, sanitation, or educations. We need these entrepreneurs now more than ever to provide the life lines that are so critically needed and to carve out our collective path to a sustainable, inclusive recovery and #greatreset. We need them now more than ever.
The COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurs is an unprecedented collaboration between 84 global leaders in social entrepreneurship. Collectively they serve over 90,000 social entrepreneurs who touch the lives of 1.9 billion people.
The outbreak of COVID-19, and the subsequent lockdown restrictions imposed, have resulted in significant alterations to the livelihoods of Africa's most vulnerable people. We can only reach the other side of this crisis if we collaborate, and take on this fight together.
- Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Founder and CEO, Motsepe Foundation
This week, the Alliance is launching its 2021 Roadmap: An ambitious portfolio of 21 action projects in 10 areas where change is critically needed.
With over $1million in funding committed, the Alliance provides a construct for fuelling collaboration, on-the-ground action, and ultimately for laying the groundwork for a more just and resilient society.
Example Action Project: Surfacing 'Corporate Ready Ventures'
Alliance members Acumen, Euclid Network, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, and Yunus Social Business will coordinate an effort to collectively surface “corporate-ready” social entrepreneurs across the Alliance community who, as they recover from the pandemic and rebuild their businesses, will be able to supply or serve large corporations. Their goal: Provide inclusive, social procurement options to these corporations, many of whom are on their own paths towards social and environmental sustainability.
Members of the Alliance
Uniquely, all Action Cluster and Project are led by Alliance members (Cluster leads in bold):
Aavishkaar Group, Acumen, Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), Argidius Foundation, Agora Partnerships, Ashoka, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), Bamboo Capital Partners, Care Social Ventures, Bertha Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, B Lab, CASE at Duke University, Catalyst 2030, Collaborative for Frontier Finance, Co-Impact, DEVEX, DOEN Foundation, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Echoing Green, European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA), Euclid Network, EY, Fourth Sector, Fundación Avina, GHR Foundation, Global Innovation Fund, Global Steering Group for Impact Investing (GSG), Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), Greenwood Place, Groupe SOS, IIX, IKEA Foundation, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, Impact Alpha, Impact Assets, Impact Hub, International Labour Organization, Johnson & Johnson, KIVA, Latimpacto, Leping Foundation, Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation, LGT Venture Philanthropy, Mercy Corps Ventures, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Motsepe Foundation, NESsT, Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), Open Road Alliance, Oxfam, Oxford University / Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Porticus, Rabobank, Rippleworks, Roddenberry Foundation, Root Capital, Salesforce.org, SAP, Schwab Foundation, Shell Foundation, Skoll Foundation, SOCAP, Sorenson Impact Center, Sorenson Impact Foundation, Synergos Institute, Thomson Reuters Foundation, UNAIDS, Unilever, United States African Development Foundation (USADF), UNDP Business Call to Action, UNDP SDG Impact, USAID Center for Innovation and Impact (CII), Village Capital, Yunus Social Business, World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), WWF International, 60_decibels
Read the World Economic Forum DA'21 Agenda Article by Melanie Schultz - van Haegen & Our Alliance Secretariat for more about our burning platform: Why 2021 can be and needs to be the year for breakthrough collaboration.
