Thailand
The government in Thailand established the National Social Enterprise Committee after a study tour organised by the British Council in 2010. A British Council representative was invited to join the Committee. Later that year this became the Thailand Social Enterprise Office (2010) and subsequently published the Social Enterprises Master Plan (2010-14).
Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said: "Through co-operation with the British Council, Thailand has… access to experts in this field who are sharing their knowledge, resources and experiences to help grow the social enterprise sector in Thailand."
Turkey
In Turkey the Ministry of Interior's Department for Associations has provided financial support for social enterprises. Mr Saban Acar, Deputy Head of the Department states: "I learned about social entrepreneurship form the British Council project, and I saw how social enterprises were creating social and economic benefits in the UK." SfSE has also influenced the Kadir Has University and supported them to launch the new Social Entrepreneurship Academy (2012). 'Training the trainers' for this course was provided by the British Council.
Local trainer Ms Hulya Denizalp, Ashoka Fellow, says: "I have worked in the area of social entrepreneurship for years, but my understanding of social entrepreneurship was based on providing solutions to social problems without considering the economic aspect. It was through this British Council project that I came across social entrepreneurship as a business model, and I have now become an advocate of this approach." The programme has also engaged the popular TV programme "Have you got an idea?" to feature social entrepreneurs alongside traditional entrepreneurs.
Contact the British Council at social.enterprise@britishcouncil.org
More from the British Council partnerzone:
• Career counselling for aspiring social entrepreneurs
• British Council and EUNIC Conference: Supporting social enterprise in Greece
• Slovenia, the UK, and the future of social enterprise in Europe
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