BSR Insight | How Business Can Help China’s Emerging Social Enterprises
About the Author(s)
Julia Beier, Associate, Advisory Services
Publication Date
August 21, 2012
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Social entrepreneurs—who can help address a country's social and environmental challenges—have gained ground in Western countries, but the sector is still young in China.
Social entrepreneurship nonprofit FYSE's "2012 China Social Enterprise Report," launched last week with BSR and the nonprofit Unltd, found that 54 percent of Chinese social enterprises started only within the last three years. Many are struggling to grow because they lack funding and resources, trust from the public and potential donors, and supportive legislation (it is notoriously difficult to register nonprofits in China).
Corporations can help Chinese social enterprises by offering:
- Employee expertise: Companies can encourage their employees to share their skills and experience with social entrepreneurs, who may need help with marketing, sales, or formulating a business plan, for example.
- Donations and collaboration: Companies can provide in-kind donations or corporate space, as well as work with social entrepreneurs to cross-brand products and create cause-related marketing.
To learn more about applying corporate expertise to nonprofit models, read a new report from BSR's CiYuan initiative.
About the Author(s)
Julia Beier, Associate, Advisory Services
As an Associate in our Paris office, Julia focuses on human rights, stakeholder engagement, CSR strategy and reporting, and conflict minerals... Read more →
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