One Can Grow

The Future We Are Creating

Social Enterprise is the term used to describe any organisation which applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than operate exclusively to maximise profits for external shareholders.

We are conducting an 8-week pilot program in NSW schools commencing 8 June 2012 to educate high school students about social enterprise as a career option, One Can Grow hopes to plant a seed of possibility, with the understanding that young people can achieve financial stability while still contributing to their society and the global community in a beneficial way.

Participation in One Can Grow will give students the opportunity to:
1. GET: Tangible benefits
- Knowledge Acquisition
- Development of practical skills in business strategy.
- One Can Grow Program Bronze Certification
2. GAIN: Intangible benefits
- Empowerment and increased self-confidence
- Development of soft skills including communication skills.
- Networks between students and self discovery
3. GIVE: Social Impact
- Positive, tangible contribution to solving social and global issues.
- Empowerment in understanding the economy of social enterprise
- Awareness and understanding of possibilities in social impact.
4. GROW: Opportunity development
- Valuable networking with industry professionals
- Enhanced awareness of career opportunities
- Opportunity to continue to grow with OCG.

How We Are Creating It

Through active participation, creativity and fun workshops, students will be guided through the process of developing their own social enterprise idea and will be educated about the concept of global microfinance. Young people will foster/develop their own individual passions/interests, skills and knowledge while becoming socially aware of the issues facing society and the world.

Our Program
One Can Grow is seeking partner schools to assist with an 8-week pilot program where students are educated about social enterprise and provided with resources to develop one.
We propose a structure of 2 hour sessions after school one day per week, where up to 30 students participate in workshops related to entrepreneurship and/or social impact.

These sessions consist of a 1 hour Seminar and a 1 hour interactive workshop. The Seminar is divided into two sections: “Eyes Open” and “Smart Business”.

1) “Eyes Open”: Inspiring students to solve social problems, through awareness and empowerment.
2) “Smart Business”: Educating students about fundamentals of entrepreneurship and business strategy, providing them with tools to make an impact.

Who and How?
Mentors and speakers from the industry, assisted by University student mentors, will educate and facilitate workshops to groups of up to 30 high school students in Years 10, 11 or 12. Our seminars will cover critical areas such as communication skills, presentation skills, market research, brainstorming, idea validation, negotiation skills, and project management. The theme of the pilot program will be encouraging students to find practical solutions to social and environmental issues around the world, in the form of social enterprise. Experienced industry mentors will examine the different issues/challenges faced by social entrepreneurs during the early phases of a social start-up.

Students will be given a chance to present their business proposal to a panel of judges at the completion of the Pilot program. The panel will assess the ability of the young social enterprise to communicate their idea as though it would be presented to potential investors in real life. We do not rule out the possibility of allowing investors to invest in students’ ideas, and will continue to support students after the conclusion of the program.

Our Story & Why You Should Support Us

Why?
80% of students enter the labour force to work in jobs that they hate. Many young people are often faced with what they think is a ‘choice’ between:
•    making money/living sustainably,
•    doing what they love, or
•    contributing back to society/assisting others.

One Can Grow will present proven, successful case studies of young/old people who have created or currently work in an enterprise that is sustainable & making income – as well as providing them with a job they are passionate about and love – whilst giving back to society and/or to the world.