{"id":975,"date":"2015-03-25T08:07:18","date_gmt":"2015-03-25T13:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/growpurpose.com\/charlestongood\/?p=975"},"modified":"2015-03-21T20:39:15","modified_gmt":"2015-03-22T01:39:15","slug":"social-innovation-series-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growpurpose.com\/charlestongood\/social-innovation-series-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Innovation Series – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

This guest article is the second\u00a0of a series that will provide a comprehensive overview <\/em>
\nof the economic and societal change that is occurring in Charleston. It was previously published in French<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Social Innovation: <\/strong>all around the world, and also in Charleston! (Part 2)<\/strong>
\nby Carole Veisseire Nelson<\/h3>\n

Our modern societies are changing, which brings out a multiplicity of promising and fascinating practices. The lines are shifting and mentalities are evolving. What are we actually talking about? A new way of thinking about the global and local economy.<\/em><\/p>\n

FROM \u201cMORE, MORE, MORE\u201d TO \u201cBETTER, BETTER, BETTER\u201d<\/strong>
\nAt the international level, there is still no clear consensus on what the social and solidarity economy covers. So the concept takes on other terms around the world, such as \u201csocial entrepreneurship\u201d, \u201csocially conscious or responsible business\u201d, \u201cthird sector\u201d, \u201csocial innovation\u201d, as well as \u201cgreen, responsible, positive and new economy\u201d. Its international definition is yet to come: the Mont Blanc Meetings, an international Forum of Social and Solidarity Economy Entrepreneurs founded in 2005 and observer member of the taskforce inter-UN agencies dedicated to the SSE, defines it as \u201canother way of doing business, reconciling social, civic, environmental and economic efficiency, (\u2026) in line with an overall goal of sustainable development.\u201d<\/p>\n

In North America, the term “social and solidarity economy” is relatively little known and very little used, except within a small community of think tanks and research institutions, especially in the Harvard Business School where the concept was born. Its public understanding is still weak, and I have already attested to this\u00a0in Charleston. No single person I have interviewed since I moved to this city had heard about the term, despite their positions as entrepreneurs, professors, coaches, journalists or nonprofit managers. But the interviewee knew the term “social entrepreneurship,” while not being able to define it clearly. Since the law on the Social and Solidarity Economy passed in France this past July, its definition has become clearer for French readers.<\/p>\n

In the American media as well as among the individuals interviewed, this economic model is explored with an individual-based approach. Its vision, values and principles are absent from the debate. What is important to them and holds their attention is what the social entrepreneur can provide as new services and innovative products that meet the community\u2019s needs and target the society\u2019s ills.<\/p>\n

\"partIn summary, to speak about “social and solidarity economy” in the United States is to focus on individual commitments (i.e. social entrepreneurs), whereas in Europe the focus is more on organizations (i.e. social enterprises).<\/p>\n

So now that we have an idea and the lexicon for \u201csocial and solidarity economy\u201d and \u201cnew economy,\u201d we can begin exploring this economic model which is limited only by imagination and courage.<\/p>\n

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH\u00a0SOCIAL INNOVATION IN CHARLESTON? <\/strong>
\nWhen I started looking for concrete alternative solutions that combine social purpose and profit in Charleston, I realized that the information was quite difficult to find. Consequently, people don\u2019t perceive how this new powerful approach to transforming lives is gaining momentum. That is why I thought it would be useful to consolidate this positive information, making it visible and easily accessible.<\/p>\n

I will demonstrate that an immersion in Charleston\u2019s social and solidarity economy will generate awareness of this long-term ongoing upheaval. To do this, each article will highlight the most significant economically, socially and ecologically responsible initiatives that are contributing to Charleston\u2019s sustainable development. I am going to begin with economic development, entrepreneurship, finance and agriculture, followed by energy, urban revitalization and education, and finally culture, arts, health care, sports, politics and media.<\/p>\n

Indeed, these pioneers who are changing the world are present in all activity areas. For example, Charlestonians can afford fresh fruits and vegetables either at a market or directly at a farm more easily than a decade. These sites for local food supply that were almost disappearing are now all developing. Lowcountry Local First has contributed to its own return via training, awareness-raising campaign and advocacy. Also, during a nonprofit silent auction, a nonprofit organization can offer participants the use of a mobile application to simplify the process of auctioneering and make it interactive. Indeed, this auction platform launched by the Charleston startup Bidr makes it possible to do the bidding not on paper, but just by sending text messages. The talk is engaged with the bidder who is then informed in real time of the progress of his bid, and then can adjust it in order to win the item. So this mobile app enables the nonprofit to increase the bids, and consequently raise more funds for their programs.<\/p>\n

\"partFor those of you who have felt discouraged or frustrated about the state of the world, I will put a face on the \u201csocial change agents.\u201d I will look at who they are, what is important to them, and how they work to advance social issues of interest now and in the future. I will tell the stories of local \u201ceveryday heroes\u201d who are nurturing anonymously the well-being of local communities. It is because they are the \u201cvoice of hope\u201d in a time of crises. More importantly, I will reveal their best practices that have the potential to motivate you to join the movement and act at your level. In other words, a way to participate in the elaboration of the international definition of the social and solidarity economy, to expand the choices available to us in the economic, social and environmental areas, and especially to seize the opportunities of profound transformation that every period of crisis offers us.<\/p>\n

To be continued<\/em> \u2026. Part 3 will be <\/em>an exploration<\/em> of social innovation in Charleston in its economic dimension, including technology development through the immersion in the Silicon Harbor.<\/em><\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carole Veisseire Nelson | Charleston, SC | caroleveisseire@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"JUILLET<\/a>Carole Veisseire Nelson received a MA in History through a joint program in her native France that allowed her to take courses through College of Charleston in 1999-2000. Her 10-years professional background is in nonprofit fundraising, advocacy, and awareness campaigns within sports education, health care and human rights sectors for organizations in France, the UK, and Senegal. She has recently settled here in Charleston where she has built her next career path. She has begun her own international consulting business for nonprofits, corporate foundations and social enterprises. She is writing an article series which explores the myriad initiatives in Charleston that skillfully combine economic, social and environmental performances. Indeed, this southern city is buzzing with great ideas that address our pressing issues as well as have a positive impact on the community. The social economy, sharing economy, circular economy, collaborative economy or social entrepreneurship are some relevant responses to this greater aspiration for societal change and this urgent need of a new economy.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 
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This guest article is the second\u00a0of a series that will provide a comprehensive overview of the economic and societal change that is<\/p>\n

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