"Changemaker's Journey – Social Business in India" is a study tour of 7 days duration, which gives an insight into the work of inspiring individuals and organizations who work for social improvements in urban and rural India, through various visits, discussions and reflections. The objective is to give the participants a glimpse of the situation in India during the study trip, the difficulties faced by social businesses in urban and rural areas of India, and the opportunities and possibilities.
Social Business is an economic concept that is often attributed to the Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, encouraging active companies to solve social and environmental problems of society. In contrast to social projects with the same content, objective social businesses are like traditional businesses. However, the largest part of the profit remains within the company. The dividend is limited and used for the expansion of the services through company growth.
The program is designed for groups of at least 8 participants, such as those from universities, companies or other organizations that deal with the topic of social business.
The learning objectives of the program are:
- Interact with Social Entrepreneurs in urban and rural India
- Understand new business models of sustainable development in urban and rural India
- Interact with villagers in rural India and insight into their daily lives
- Interact with residents of poor urban areas and insight into their daily lives
- Develop an understanding of the complexities and challenges of life in rural areas of India and in poor urban areas and how these are considered in the planning of social business activities
Program Flow:
Before arrival, participants will receive an information packet with reference materials , and a guide to behavior with residents in villages and poor urban areas. A conference is held with the program managers from India over Skype who explain the program in detail, as well as issues, expectations and address the queries of the participants
During the program, it is expected that participants write brief reports on their daily observations, which are discussed at the end of each day with the program manager in the group.
Phase 1 (in Mumbai; 3.5 Days)
Day 1
In the morning, introduction to the program
In the afternoon, visit of UnLtd India, an organization of investors and exceptional individuals who have a vision in the field of social business, who bring together content, advise and guide.
In the morning, introduction to the program
In the afternoon, visit of UnLtd India, an organization of investors and exceptional individuals who have a vision in the field of social business, who bring together content, advise and guide.
Day 2
In the morning, visit of Mirakle Couriers Mumbai, a courier service that employees hearing impaired people. Afternoon: Visit the Oscar Foundation. The foundation helps youth from the slums learn life skills through soccer training for them.
In the morning, visit of Mirakle Couriers Mumbai, a courier service that employees hearing impaired people. Afternoon: Visit the Oscar Foundation. The foundation helps youth from the slums learn life skills through soccer training for them.
Day 3:
In the morning, visit of Under the Mango Tree, a social business that does beekeeping and markets fair trade gourmet honey products. The agricultural productivity through increased pollination give farmers an additional source of income.
In the morning, visit of Under the Mango Tree, a social business that does beekeeping and markets fair trade gourmet honey products. The agricultural productivity through increased pollination give farmers an additional source of income.
In the afternoon, visit the Conservation Centre of Sanjay Gandhi National Parks (Borivali), one of the few global national parks in the metropolitan area. The park is a visitor attraction which attracts over 2 million visitors a year and makes a valuable contribution to the environment with its dense forest and compensation for urban conurbation. In the park, we will also visit 2400 year old Buddhist caves.
Phase 2 (In a village near Mumbai; 3 Days)
The following 3 days, we dive into the village life. During this phase, the goal is to learn about sustainable development and to start a small development activity with children, women or the environment.
Participants should be aware about the reality of life in rural India in terms of livelihood, housing, sanitation and water supply, education, management of natural resources, agriculture and village administration, get in touch with young people, women and families from the village, and understand social change in rural India and sustainable business models.
Day 4
We travel to the village Henna in Purushwadi for a village orientation and introduction to the community. Thereafter, the program manager leads the participants through a simulation game that illustrates the complexity of agricultural production in India. The findings are discussed in the group.
We travel to the village Henna in Purushwadi for a village orientation and introduction to the community. Thereafter, the program manager leads the participants through a simulation game that illustrates the complexity of agricultural production in India. The findings are discussed in the group.
Day 5
"Shadowing a villager" - We support a villager in his/her daily life. In the afternoon, we do fun activities with the young people in the village.
"Shadowing a villager" - We support a villager in his/her daily life. In the afternoon, we do fun activities with the young people in the village.
Day 6
In the morning, we visit an innovative social initiative in the village and then discuss with members of the initiative, possibilities of new social business models.
In the morning, we visit an innovative social initiative in the village and then discuss with members of the initiative, possibilities of new social business models.
Day 7
Return to Mumbai. In the afternoon, we discuss the summary of the program and have dinner together.
Return to Mumbai. In the afternoon, we discuss the summary of the program and have dinner together.
Our partner for this program in India is a social business in itself. Through the program, as well as community tourism activities, more than 50% of households participating in the 3 villages has achieved a growth of 25-35% of their household income. The migration from the villages was reduced by 25%, and the culture, traditions and environmental awareness in the villages are promoted.
Study tours and group programs are always according to interests and budget of the group. Please contact us and we will make you an offer!