d . Applying the Social Start Up Methodology
The Social Start Up methodologywas implemented and completed in the 3 project sites of Verteneglio in Croatia , Strasbourg in France , and Perugia in Italy . Whilst the social start ups training programme was delivered consistently and in accordance with the Mentor Guide and the Toolkit , the speed with which the programme progressed in the three locations , differed , and the types of social enterprises envisioned in each location was also different . This could be due to the demographics of the mentees , the context in which the programme was being implemented , the needs and priorities of the EPGs , and the existing awareness of the social enterprise model , as well as the existing legal framework governing this .
However , this extant diversity across the three locations where the Social Start Ups project was being implemented , did not impact upon the delivery of the programme negatively . Rather , it provided solid testing grounds for the design rigour of the programme .
In essence , the focus of the social start up in Verteneglio ’ s EPG was on local produce , but this erupted into a disagreement about organic vs non-organic produce . Although the Social Start Up methodology was welcomed , an agreement could not be reached regarding the inclusion of both organic and non-organic local products , and the group split into organic and non-organic producers . Given the significance of this issue for this Croatian region , we are pleased that the project was able to bring it to the forefront , with the Municipality of Verteneglio leading the way in addressing this challenge . The trainee demographic here
In Strasbourg , the Social Start Ups methodology was employed through AMSED , and mentees here had too many potential social enterprise ideas to limit to the creation of one social enterprise only . Whilst the mentoring sessions were buzzing with discussions , there was a preference to having multiple social enterprise start ups , led by individuals or small groups , rather than an overall group effort . This outcome does not contravene the ethos of the Social Start Ups project as all start ups were rallying around the social enterprise model . It is anticipated that as these micro social start ups become established , they can merge together or collaborate , to enhance community development . Given the participant dynamics here , the social start up project progressed systematically and regularly .
In Perugia , the participants worked together to create an EPG in the first instance , and then to create a social enterprise to enhance the EPG ’ s sustainability . Given the extant brainstorming and ideation at the beginning of the social start up process , the completion of the Social Start Up Project here took longer than Verteneglio or Strasbourg . However , this is expected as the group was beginning the journey completely from scratch and needed the time to determine the social enterprise ’ s aims , activities , business model , implementation etc . Although this was the slowest process amongst the three locations , it fulfilled the aims of the Social Start project fully , and will most likely be sustainable in the longer term . This social start up was focused on community development and Perugia ’ s urban regeneration through the following activities :
1 . Cooking Delivery / cooking at the clients homes with the EGP products . 2 . Investigating in a cooking show for tourists . How to cook the products in the organic box by
creating awareness about the products in the box . 3 . Hosting and supporting newly arrived students in Perugia – accommodation etc .
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