Conference Theme & Projects
Social Entrepreneurship: Innovating for Impact in a Changing World
In a world facing growing social, environmental, and economic challenges, new approaches are needed to foster sustainable and inclusive development. Climate change, inequality, demographic shifts, resource scarcity, and technological disruption are reshaping societies and exposing gaps that neither markets nor public institutions can fully address. In this context, social entrepreneurship has emerged as a mechanism for creating social and environmental value through entrepreneurial action. Unlike traditional entrepreneurship, where economic value creation is generally a central objective, social entrepreneurship places an explicit social or environmental mission at the core of entrepreneurial activity while maintaining economic sustainability.
The Euroweek 2027 Conference seeks to advance theoretical, empirical, and practical insights into how social entrepreneurs, organisations, and communities can create societal value while developing sustainable and scalable initiatives. We invite contributions that explore the potential and limitations of social entrepreneurship in promoting inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development, and in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Potential research areas
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability has become a defining challenge for societies, organisations, and communities seeking to respond to climate change and ecological degradation. This sub-theme invites projects that explore how entrepreneurial initiatives can contribute to more sustainable and regenerative futures. Contributions may address broad environmental challenges such as climate action, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, environmental protection or environmental justice, among others. It also welcomes projects that analyse how social enterprises can combine environmental responsibility with social value creation and long-term community resilience.
Social Inclusion
Social inclusion is essential for building fairer societies in which all individuals and communities can participate, contribute, and thrive. Contributions may explore entrepreneurship as a tool to address social inequalities and support vulnerable or underrepresented groups. Contributions may focus on access to education, employment, housing, healthcare, digital services or financial inclusion, as well as on initiatives that strengthen community participation and empowerment.
Responsible Use of Resources
The responsible use of resources is essential for building more sustainable and equitable societies. This sub-theme invites projects that explore how social entrepreneurship can transform the way resources are produced, consumed, shared, reused, and redistributed. Contributions may address resource efficiency, food waste reduction, ethical sourcing, local production, repair and reuse initiatives, collaborative consumption, redistribution models, or circular business approaches, while reducing environmental pressure and creating social value.
Health and Well-being
Health and well-being are essential for building resilient and inclusive societies. This sub-theme invites projects that explore how social entrepreneurship can contribute to improving physical and mental health, quality of life, and access to care and support services. Contributions may address preventive health, healthy ageing, mental health and well-being, care services, healthy lifestyles, or community-based health initiatives, as well as innovative approaches to responding to unmet health and care needs.
Digital Innovation for Positive Social Impact
Digital innovation and emerging technologies are transforming how social entrepreneurs design, deliver, and scale solutions to complex societal challenges. This sub-theme invites projects that examine how artificial intelligence, digital platforms, data-driven tools, assistive technologies, mobile applications, or online communities can be used to create positive social impact. Contributions may also critically explore issues such as digital exclusion, accessibility, privacy, ethics, algorithmic bias, and the risk of reinforcing inequalities through technology.
Innovative Business Models for Social Impact
Developing sustainable business models is essential for transforming socially innovative ideas into viable and lasting initiatives. This sub-theme invites projects that explore how organisations can create, deliver, and sustain social or environmental value while ensuring their economic viability. Contributions may address innovative financing models, cooperative and collaborative business models, impact investment, stakeholder engagement, impact measurement, or strategies for scaling and replicating successful initiatives.