Social enterprises proposed as solution to plug SL’s development gaps

Sanath P. Vidanagamage, a former private sector CEO, who now leads Growth Concept, a non-profit organization believes that building social enterprises by promoting and assisting social entrepreneurs is the best for Sri Lanka to attain social and economic development.   

They’ve been promoting the idea of a new entrepreneurial community since 2012. They are currently working with thte British Council in Colombo and also working with the top universities to incorporate social enterprise into their curricula. Social enterprise incubators have been set up in 20 districts by rural and non-governmental organizations. The organization seeks to reduce negative human-environment interactions. “Our ultimate goal is to develop a social entrepreneur in each village,” Vidanagamage says.

Growth Concept has a structured approach to social entrepreneurship. They offer food security and related technology through food processing, arts and crafts that use local raw materials and entrepreneurs’ creativity, organic farming and the promotion of creativity and innovation among the youth.

They also employ 30,000 social entrepreneurs across the country. In return, they help foster new social entrepreneurs. For example, if a community needs water for farming, the existing social enterprise team will create one. So they address local issues.

However, according to Vidanagamage, the COVID -19 pandemic, excessive government bureaucracy and the absence of international payment platforms like PayPal have been major hindrances for the growth of social enterprises.

Despite the present difficulties Growth Concept has big expansion plans. Increasing social entrepreneurs is the first step. Second is to create a social entrepreneurship academy for local and global social entrepreneurs. Third is to expand eco-systems created in districts such as Nuwara Eliya to others.

“The social enterprise concept has a far-reaching impact.  It has an impact on individuals in its socioeconomic domains beyond developing a cohort of entrepreneurs. As a result, its development in the country would be a perfect answer for resolving the majority of the problems,” Vidanagamage said.