As we enter a significant and hotly-charged election season, it bears repeating that social entrepreneurship rests upon developing healthy, responsive communities through active civic engagement. Building coalitions, nurturing trust, and mobilizing citizens to act often boils down to reminding them that they do have a voice, and a role, in shaping and serving their communities. The ability to weigh in on decisions, guide initiatives, and have an equity stake in redevelopment can be profoundly impactful and empowering – creating a mentality of action, ownership and engagement rather than feeling overlooked, undervalued and marginalized.
Civic empowerment and advocacy begins with a well-thought-out neighborhood planning process. At the heart of this process are engaged, committed and invested citizens who have access to the ballet box and confidence in the system. On November 5, or earlier, citizens can exercise their right to vote not just for the President, but for representatives in Congress and in state and local elections. Outcomes, especially at the federal level, may advance legislation to secure and broaden voting rights, such as by automating voter registration and bringing it online. The results of local elections will decide whether motivated political leadership can represent communities, advocate for all constituents, and draw together individuals and groups through their mutual interests. In the meantime, though, several barriers exist to restrict access to polls, along with misinformation and distrust sown by our contentious political climate.
In these next few weeks, our community of social entrepreneurs must focus our mobilizing energies and tactical thinking on urging citizens to register to vote, canvassing neighborhoods, creating action plans, and reminding community members of what’s at stake – how their vote and voice bring about the development and improvement of their neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
Our social entrepreneurship framework aligns efforts to optimize outcomes in five key areas:
Citizen Empowerment drives grassroots participation and planning; locally-led advocacy; local ownership and control; and cohesive communities.
Networks and Symbiotic Collaborations strengthen capacities for key stakeholders
to maximize resources, contain costs, reduce investment risk, and scale up activities for sustainability.
Physical Change to the Built Environment affirms a commitment to smart, sustainable development, through the improved viability of commercial areas, increased local real estate and business ownership, rehabilitated public and private properties, improved marketing, and the development of attractions and destinations.
Reduced Social Problems translates to lower rates of poverty, crime, lack of investment, and lack of jobs.
Financial and Resource Sustainability emerges through profitable ventures that generate financial and other resources to sustain and grow ventures and local economies.
Social entrepreneurship must begin with a call for civic involvement. Even the best business plan will founder without community buy-in and ownership. With the election on the horizon, it’s important to remind our neighbors and friends to voice their choice at the polls–then continue to speak up.