The goal of Social Start Ups was to develop , test and validate a learning methodology for adult learners by experimenting the Ethical Purchasing Groups ( EPGs ) model as a real laboratory for the acquisition of key competences . To do this , the Social Start Ups project adopted a ‘ learning by doing ’ approach , which included the direct involvement of adult participants in the Ethical Purchasing Groups start-up and management activities .
The project also aimed to define , through a participatory approach , a sustainable model of EPGs that met the needs of both producers and consumers . EPGs in Croatia , France and Italy , aim to enhance the agri-food localities through organizing local agri-food production communities into EPGs . In doing so , the EPGs empower local producers and consumers through the adoption of ethical production processes , fair pricing , improved health through quality ‘ slow food ’ products , and a strong awareness of the natural cycle and the need for environmental protection . However , these EPGs continue to face a number of challenges that hamper their growth and impact . As a result , the Social Start Ups programme curriculum has been designed to include training content and sessions as shown below , to address these challenges and to enhance the effectiveness of the EPGs . Assigned , trained mentors who are familiar with this model and content , will lead the 7 training sessions with the members of the EPGs . Each training session is designed as a half a working day , extending over 4 hours .
Session Training Session
1 Starting Out Week 1
Content
Defining Social Start Ups Ideation ( Brainstorming ) Roles and Responsibilities
Activity to complete before next session
Finalize ideas
2 Social Start Up Structure Week 2
3 Marketing Planning and Implementation Week 4
Structures , Roles and Responsibilities Communication , Negotiation and Consultative Decision Making within the Social Start Up
Vision , mission , values Branding Logo , marketing materials , marketing campaigns and social media
Finalize roles and responsibilities
Market research : customer development , SWOT , PESTLE etc Setting up social media channels . E . g ., Facebook , website Developing the marketing materials discussed in the session
4 Sales , Finance and Pricing Week 8
Finance sources and opportunities ( fund raising ), membership fees and other finance channels Finance tools : cashflow , breakeven analysis , profit and loss account Pricing strategies
Finalizing the marketing materials Researching funding sources Experimenting with financial and pricing scenarios and determining the most suitable for the Social Start Up iii