Creating a role model for social business in cities

Social business has already proven to be a true alternative for conventional development programs and has reached, inspired and helped thousands of people in developing nations. We are convinced that the social business concept is just as applicable in developed nations and can serve society’s most pressing needs right in our front yard. In multiple visits to the city of Wiesbaden, Prof. Yunus has excited citizens and stakeholders about social business. In 2010, the seeds he planted during his visits grew into a network of local stakeholders that share a common vision to form Wiesbaden into a global leader and pioneer for social business in cities. This project is a unique opportunity to put the experiences from our engagement into other holistic social business movements (e.g. YY Haiti) to work, and positively impact societies in developed nations just as we do in the developing world. Together with a network consisting of the mayor of Wiesbaden, EBS university, Wiesbadener Kurier (a local newspaper), Berufswege für Frauen (a local initiative for professional businesswomen) and the Wiesbaden Foundation, we are working towards addressing the following social challenges in Wiesbaden:
 

• In one of Germany’s richest cities, more than 10,000 children live below the German poverty line or are dependent on welfare payments.
• Mothers and families are struggling with a lack of day care and part-time job opportunities.
• A large share of the population has a migrant background. Only one in ten achieve qualification for higher education (compared to 43% for people without migrant background).
• Particularly young people are suffering from unemployment rates that are above the Western German average.
•  Social problems are concentrated in a few city districts with rising crime and unemployment rates.

Combining existing structures with new concepts

The community of Wiesbaden is highly committed to improving the standards of living for everyone in the city and a range of initiatives have already been in place for several years, working towards solving social challenges. Through these activities, the citizens and initiatives of Wiesbaden have gathered manifold experiences and know-how about how to tackle social issues. At the same time, a large number of well-situated citizens with a strong entrepreneurial background are interested in positively shaping the city. Altogether, the city provides all preconditions to successfully pioneer the field of social business in cities. The goal of the network is to create village-like structures, connect local initiatives and citizens, and support them in utilizing the concept of social business as a means to solve social problems. We are seeking to attract partners and investors from all over Germany to participate in this ground-breaking project.
The heart of the movement is the social business fund which will offer innovative investment opportunities – both for companies committed to act upon their CSR strategy, as well as individuals that would like to create sustainable social value with their investments. The fund will provide financial means for social business start-ups.
Our efforts to set up infrastructure projects and social businesses in cooperation with companies will lead to a rich social business landscape in Wiesbaden. We offer companies a unique opportunity to utilize their core competencies in projects within their strategic scope while at the same time creating significant social impact.
In order to break down barriers to starting social businesses, entrepreneurs will gain access to goods and services like start-up consulting, outsourcing opportunities, office space and entrepreneurial know-how and networks in Wiesbaden. The infrastructure will also enable local initiatives to enhance part of their social services into a financially sustainable social business model and allow them to continue to positively shape the city of Wiesbaden.
 

Vitalizing Wiesbaden with the spirit of social business

In 2011, Wiesbaden will witness the emergence of the first series of social businesses that will demonstrate how sustainable business ideas can solve social challenges in developed nations. At the 3rdInternational Klassentreffen at the Wolfram-von-Eschenbach school, the first German Social Business Forum and many other events, we will tell the unique stories of these social business startups and excite the citizens of Wiesbaden about the concept. Founding the social business fund will be a major milestone in the development of Wiesbaden as a social business city. It will precede various creative projects that will fundamentally change Wiesbaden’s urban identity. We are looking for both investors in the project, as well as partners to set up infrastructure projects that will pave the road for social business entrepreneurs. Support our work with your commitment and be part of a community of pioneers. Make way for a new type of business and an exciting approach to solving society’s most pressing needs. Contact us if you are interested in helping us build the first social business city in Wiesbaden.
 

Join us @Facebook or contact us at:

info@grameencl.com