Denise Horn, Ph.D., associate dean of Bryant’s College of Arts and Sciences, has not only authored a book on how social entrepreneurship can be an ethical practice to help build democratic practices but has spent her higher education career traveling to South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, India, and Indonesia to run programs focusing on social impact.

“The idea is to empower people to live the kind of life they value,” says Horn, who — new to the university this year — plans on bringing her first cohort of Bryant students to Bali, Indonesia, in August through the “General Education Capstone” course.

Social entrepreneurship uses community development and business models to create solutions for social problems — such as encouraging the growth of microfinance or helping women start companies in their communities, so they are not fully dependent on men. Horn notes that companies engaging in social entrepreneurship funnel profits back into the community.

“We are helping people live their best lives, and there are lots of ways to do that that aren't just about making lots of money,” Horn says. “Social entrepreneurs need to continually reflect on what communities need, embed themselves in communities, and think about social entrepreneurship as a liberatory movement.”

40+ years in the making 

Social entrepreneurship emerged in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that social businesses became top of mind for companies. Corporations began funding social impact divisions and developed methods for giving back to communities. Businesses like Toms Shoes and Warby Parker became known for assisting those in need through their buy-one-give-one programs.

In addition to donating products, social entrepreneurs started investing in technological creations that not only improve people's lives but combat larger societal problems. For instance, Horn notes that efforts were made to create the best cook stove for places with limited access to clean fuels. This project also helps combat climate change by mitigating the amount of wood and coal being burned and sent into the atmosphere.

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Taking action in a community, however, calls for critical thinking and working with locals to understand their needs, determining a feasible plan of action, and considering unforeseen consequences. Horn notes that unforeseen consequences have been one of the pitfalls of social entrepreneurship efforts — drawing attention to the infamous play pump meant to help women carry water from the water source to the home.

“These pumps were called play pumps because they were like merry-go-rounds for children. The idea was that the children would play, and that would pump the water; however, the kids got bored with it quickly,” says Horn, adding that community members weren’t shown how to fix the pump or how to maintain it, so the contraptions fell into disuse.

Conscientious connections

As social entrepreneurship continues to evolve, Horn notes people are coming up with creative solutions for the problems around them. From past travels to Bali, she’s seen incredible innovations around farming, education, women's maternal health, and combating climate change. 

“When people think about Bali, they think tourism, but it's really a laboratory for social entrepreneurship and community engagement. The Balinese communities are so tightly intertwined that they have the networks that help them succeed in a lot of the work they're doing,” Horn says.

She notes that bamboo — a native species of the region — is a strong renewable source that grows quickly and can be used for innovative architectural projects. Additionally, one of her friends has built an entire business around utensils made of coconut shells and bamboo. Not only does the woman employ people from her community, but she sells the utensils wholesale around the world.

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Off-shore, Horn recalls one Balinese organization that’s running a coral reef restoration program. 

“The reef was dying, so the organization built these metal structures underwater that have a very low electrical charge that goes out to those structures, which helps the coral grow,” Horn says.

Historically, anglers used explosives in the area to catch fish — damaging the coral reef. Today, many work with the restoration group and are looking at more sustainable ways of fishing.

When Bryant students visit Bali this summer, Horn notes that they will see this ingenuity firsthand. Undergrads will spend two weeks participating in site visits to local non-governmental organizations and social businesses and will engage in cultural immersion activities. They will then spend their third week working with local university students to develop a potential solution to one of Bali’s needs followed by a presentation to community leaders.

“We have to think about communities that businesses impact,” Horn says. “We need to think about reinvesting into underdeveloped economies and empowering people to be able to live the life that they want to live.”