Training in Social Entrepreneurship
Training embodied a continuous assessment process, business presentations, case studies and group interactions, which collectively helped to introduce the NGO sector to the world of social entrepreneurship. Taking part in this social entrepreneurship course has the potential to influence NGOs, individuals and other small groups in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean to construct more socially responsible businesses and at the same time address the key concern of sustainability.
The 10-day hands-on training session focused on social enterprise concepts and targeted NGOs and individuals seeking to conduct business or develop business concepts in the Blue Economy sub-sector of eco-tourism or related fields.
- Participatory approach allowed for peer to peer learning and support to take place
- The inclusion of relatable local examples
- The composition of the training team, their experience and knowledge allowed for better aclimatisation to the concept
- Setting tangible outputs provided a milestone to reach
- The inclusive approach used to develop the project design allowed for better buy in by stakeholders and beneficiaries affording relevant project design and easier implementation
- Hands-on and participatory approaches to learning especially with mature adults allows for better acceptance and acclimatisation to new concepts
- Peer-to-Peer Learning and Support also allowed for knowledge sharing and cross analysis of ideas, goals and objectives and the development of a healthy community of practice.
- Utilisation of a local example allowed for relatability of ideas and concepts.
- Utilising facilitators that had experience with the beneficiaries/sector as well as actual experience and knowledge of the concept lent to the sharing of realistic and achievable approaches that "fit" the participating organisations
- The utilisation of the building block approach in the training allowed for tangible outputs from each organisation.
- The capacity and track record of the implementing organisation allowed for solution driven / human centred approaches to be applied to counter unexpected developments.