Reach for Change

𝗪𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲! Now more than ever, we are committed to empowering local social entrepreneurs to address urgent sustainability challenges that hinder progress towards the SDGs. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭. In our first 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 of the year, we will share inspiring transformation stories from our social entrepreneurs. We will also highlight some projects from our markets and invite you to join us on our journey to create positive, scalable change in these areas! 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘦! 🤩

🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 Exciting news from the Baltics! With the support from the European Social Fund + (ESF) we are establishing a new impact fund to help social enterprises scale their impact and fostering increased demand for such financial instruments. 💰 Many social entrepreneurs in the region lack the financial support necessary to sustain operations and scale their impact over the long term. Meanwhile, the availability of impact funds is limited in the three countries, and social enterprises struggle to access private finance for growing and scaling their impact. 💡 The project, Impact Baltic seeks to address this by laying the foundations for a new impact fund while also increasing the investment readiness of 20 Baltic social enterprises and connecting them with potential investors through a transnational capacity building program. 🤝 The project will be implemented by Baltic Innovation Agency, Reach for Change, Reach for Change Latvia, supported by associated partner Lithuanian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, and co-funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund + (ESF). Want to know more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dfkqJ4vj #ImpactBaltic #SocialEnterprise #SocialImpact #ImpactFund

𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻   Growth is crucial for any successful organization, but the key question is: 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵? Recently, we collaborated with Syntio to prepare our data systems for future growth by automating key processes and reducing manual errors. This approach has given us the flexibility to expand into new markets with ease, allowing us to scale when needed.   Cost optimization in the cloud is essential for long-term success. Given our initially small data volumes, Syntio has chosen cost-effective cloud services that meet our current needs while being ready to scale as we grow. Thus, we have a scalable data platform on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).   Automating tasks and optimizing costs ensure that we can focus on maximizing our social impact rather than worrying about our infrastructure. We are excited about this collaboration with Syntio! 🤝

📢 Listen to our CEO Sofia Breitholtz and many more interesting speakers at the ‘Kick-off for the EU Proximity and Social Economy Platform’ event, TOMORROW on the 6th of February. Here is the link to register => https://lnkd.in/dXdAmhDm. This online event celebrates the launch of a new community space dedicated to advancing social innovation, strengthening local economies, and supporting Europe’s green and digital transitions. Make sure to join this brand-new platform ahead of the event 👉 https://lnkd.in/eYuNFCaR. #ProximityPlatform #SocialEconomy

🌟 🇪🇹 We are proud to announce the incredible 13 Ethiopian EdTech entrepreneurs selected for our second round of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship! 🚀 These EdTech enterprises have been carefully chosen for their potential to make a difference in the lives of underserved communities, including girls, out-of-school learners, young people with disabilities, and those internally displaced. Each one brings a unique perspective and innovation that promises to reshape the educational landscape in Ethiopia 💪 💻 📚 Fikru Yacob Swift Technologies PLC Daniel Abera [ ዳንኤል ] Haile ኃይሌ Nardos Mafito APlus Online Tutors Ethiopia Tesfamichael T. (MBA, CPBA, CMC, CDMS, DipIFR) Yetnayet Nigussie Ethio College Prep Abel Kebede Fekadu Geez Education & Training Tewelde Zemichael Hagos Gebregergs osman mohamedbrhan Haftom S. Reda Arif Education Israel Biruk Think Hub ET Innovations Abel T. Gebreselassie Abel Ababu Yimaru Academy Ammanuel Esrael Askuala Link kidist mamaye Fanuel Almaw Ethio IQ Abel Aregawi Kebede   Congratulations to the selected EdTech social entrepreneurs! Together, we are set to drive positive change, foster innovation, and create a brighter future for education in Ethiopia 🎉✨

🌟 Exciting news: Promoting Social Innovation to Boost Youth Employment in Södertörn 🇸🇪 We’re excited to announce a three-year initiative, funded by the Svenska ESF-rådet , where we will, in collaboration with Södertörn University, SE Forum, Changers Hub, and Fabege, launch a project to support youth employment in Södertörn by empowering aspiring social entrepreneurs in the region! 🚀 The project will be implemented in partnership with Stiftelsen Flemingsberg Science, and the municipalities in Södertörn. As one of six national actors we have been selected to establish a regional competence center for social innovation. The initiative aims to create a platform for innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration with a long-term vision of combating social and economic exclusion among young people in Södertörn. 💡 "Södertörn is a region with high youth unemployment and socio-economic challenges, but we also see incredible entrepreneurial potential. This project will empower local changemakers to turn their ideas into actions that promote youth employment," says Andréa Råsberg, Country Manager at Reach for Change. #SocialInnovation #YouthEmployment #Entrepreneurship #Collaboration

💚 Encouraging parents to make greener choices 👶🏻 💡 In 2020, during parental leave, Linda Dambeniece-Migliniece set out to create something meaningful. This journey led to doopsis, a Latvia based company producing washable, reusable cloth diapers that fit babies from birth to potty training. 🗑️ Disposable diapers create massive waste - up to 3,000 per baby in their first year alone. Linda wants to encourage parents to embrace greener lifestyles through small, conscious steps: using one cloth diaper daily can save 365 disposables annually. 🎨 Doopsis supports the local community by collaborating with Latvian artists for unique diaper designs. At the heart of its philosophy is a zero-waste approach to production and a belief that every scrap of material can have a second life. Fabric scraps are repurposed into useful items such as menstrual pads, nursing pads, baby booties, and bibs. 💪 One of the most challenging aspects of starting the business was sourcing high-quality materials. Another challenge has been overcoming the stigma surrounding reusable diapers. However, Linda believes it stems from a lack of information, and she’s committed to educating others on how to properly care for and wash cloth diapers, showing that it’s not as difficult as it may seem. “I feel that instead of judging, I should understand where the problem is and how I can fix it.” 🚀 Having reached her initial business goals, Linda now has the freedom to pursue broader social missions. One key objective is to build a community of parents committed to living a greener lifestyle. Linda is also focused on growing her company and team, increasing their resources and knowledge to become more competitive in the global market and eventually expand into exports. Her advice to new entrepreneurs? 👀 Start. Even if you’re unsure of the outcome. It’s not the end of the world if something doesn’t work out. Every attempt makes the next one easier. 🌐 Doopsis is a member of the Baltic Sea Impact Network, a peer-learning network gathering social entrepreneurs from Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, and Ukraine, supported by Svenska institutet. #FundedbySI #socialentrepreneurship 

🌟 Future Forward Immersion Week: Dream Team in Budapest 🌟 In December, Budapest became a hub of inspiration and collaboration as social entrepreneurs from Central and Eastern Europe gathered for the Immersion Week of the Future Forward project. 🙌 This transformative event was all about growth and connection: 💡 Leadership Mastery – Exploring what it takes to lead with vision and resilience. 📈 Scaling Strategies – Learning how to expand their impact without losing purpose. 💰 Impact Investing – Understanding how to attract funding that aligns with their mission. Beyond the workshops, it was a week of shared experiences, powerful stories, laughter, and networking 🌍 Together, these social entrepreneurs are creating solutions to some of the region’s biggest challenges, aiming for a more sustainable and equitable future. A huge thank you to all participants for making this week unforgettable! 🎉 Vihren Mitev, Ph.D. Martin Vitek Mariya Hristova Oskars Grislis Ivan Lauc Enache Flori Ramona Gustavs M. Upmanis Darija Walter #FutureForward #SocialEntrepreneurship #SocialImpact

Are you working in a social economy support organization in Europe? Are you interested in increasing further your capacity to support your target audience in scaling their impact? 📈 🎤Join our research on the topic by sharing your insights and submit your response here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d528aERh 💡The insights gathered from the survey will be used in the Scaling Catalyst project aiming to build the capacities of support organizations and their ability to support social entrepreneurs towards scaling impact. Explore the project further 👉 https://lnkd.in/dG_YKBge Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Universitets- och högskolerådet. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. #socialimpact #socialeconomy #scalingcatalyst

Happy New Year from Reach for Change team! 🌟 As we close the chapter on 2024, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible community of social entrepreneurs, supporters, and partners. Your relentless commitment and passion inspire us every day ✨💖 May 2025 bring you joy, hope, and inspiration to keep making a difference. Let’s continue to dream big, work hard, and change the world together! 💪❤️