2-Day Workshop on Social Entrepreneurship: Profit with Purpose

The team at B2BNepal recently participated in a two-day Social Enterprise Training Program, organized by Nepal Development Initiative (NEDI) and Good Shepherd International Foundation Nepal in collaboration with Fair Trade Group Nepal, OXFAM, Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), and Catalyst Now.

Held on May 12 and 13, the workshop brought together 29 participants from diverse sectors to explore the evolving landscape of social entrepreneurship and impact-driven business models.

Understanding Social Enterprise Beyond Profit

The first day featured insightful sessions led by Dr. Sunil Chitrakar, Chairperson at Fair Trade Group Nepal and CEO of Mahaguthi. His sessions focused on the foundations of social enterprise, including its meaning, governance, mission, and market identification.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the understanding that profitability and social impact are not contradictory. Dr. Chitrakar emphasized that earning profit does not make an enterprise less socially responsible. Instead, social enterprises differ from traditional businesses because they balance commercial sustainability with a purpose-driven mission such as community development, environmental protection, or employment generation.

The sessions highlighted several defining characteristics of social enterprises:

• They are mission-driven organizations focused on creating positive social or environmental impact.
• They practice transparency, accountability, and good governance.
• A significant portion of revenue generated through trade is reinvested into social causes.
• They maintain autonomy and ownership structures aligned with their mission.

Dr. Chitrakar also shared his experience of managing a Fair Trade Organization and stressed the importance of identifying the right customer base for long-term sustainability and impact.

Turning Passion Into Purposeful Entrepreneurship

The second day was facilitated by Niraj Khanal, startup mentor, Founding Executive Chairperson of Antarprerana, and Director at Byapar Briddhi Bikalpa & KGS Inc.

His session explored the role of passion in entrepreneurship and why genuine interest in one’s work is essential for long-term resilience. He explained how many entrepreneurs pursue opportunities solely based on market trends or “scope,” but often lose motivation once the trend fades. Sustainable entrepreneurship, he emphasized, is built on developing lasting interest and commitment toward one’s work.

Another powerful insight from the session was the reality that nearly 90% of businesses fail within their first two years. However, businesses that successfully navigate the critical “1000-day milestone” often gain stronger foundations for long-term growth.

To help entrepreneurs better evaluate their ventures, Mr. Khanal introduced the ISRD framework — Interest, Skills, Resources, and Demand — as a practical tool alongside traditional SWOT analysis for assessing business viability and direction.

The session concluded with a thought-provoking reflection on entrepreneurship itself:
Why do we want to become entrepreneurs? Are we prepared to face uncertainty, setbacks, and constant challenges? And are we aware of the personal values that guide our decisions?

Insights, Collaboration, and Future Opportunities

The workshop also included a brief presentation by Sher Bahadur Bohara, Technical Coordinator (Enterprise Development Programme) at OXFAM, who shared valuable guidance regarding grant applications and enterprise support opportunities.

Overall, the two-day workshop offered an enriching learning experience led by highly experienced facilitators and industry practitioners. The discussions reinforced the growing importance of building enterprises that are both financially sustainable and socially impactful.

We extend our sincere gratitude to NEDI, Good Shepherd International Foundation Nepal, Fair Trade Group Nepal, OXFAM, FHAN, and Catalyst Now for organizing this meaningful initiative. We look forward to future collaborations that continue to empower socially driven enterprises in Nepal.