Balancing Social and Entrepreneurial Values: NGOs Embracing Social Entrepreneurship

Author: KHIENG Sothy, PhD - December , 2016

In their search to become more financially self-reliant development NGOs are experimenting with social entrepreneurship. Many are doing this to strengthen their financial situation, but social entrepreneurship can do much more and opens up new ways to help poor communities. However, NGOs embracing social entrepreneurship face risks of being diverted from their missions and
excluding intended beneficiaries.
Non-governmental development organizations are searching for new models to enable them to fulfil their missions. The common goals they strive towards, like eradicating poverty, inequality, insecurity and injustice, remain relevant. It is the way NGOs are organized and financed that is changing rapidly. A new business or funding model is required because reliance on tax-based funding is being openly criticised while it has become more accepted to generate social and economic change by embracing entrepreneurial values.