Integrating Community Enterprise Into Higher Education and CVET - Insights and Impacts from Social Entrepreneurship Training

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the primary aspects of the need for education and awareness about the subject of social entrepreneurship, and more especially the activities of community-led businesses. The Burgas Free University conducted research and training on the innovative topic of community enterprise development. As part of this research and training, a blended learning educational programme and associated teaching and learning resources were developed for higher education institutions, accrediting agencies, and social entrepreneurs and innovators. The study investigates several approaches and standards that might be used to evaluate the effectiveness of social entrepreneurship training. An evaluation of the effect of a course on social entrepreneurship that was taught at BSU between the years 2022 and 2024 is offered here. The course was held over the time discussed. The findings of the study shed light on the significance of training organisations for social entrepreneurs in Bulgaria, as well as the organisational capacity of these organisations to bring about genuine social transformations. A community enterprise is an organisation that is owned and managed by the community, and its mission and vision are centred on serving individuals from a defined geographical area (primarily disadvantaged locations) and/or communities of interest (primarily marginalised groups in society). This definition was provided by the community. This distinguishes community entrepreneurs as a separate category within the larger social enterprise sector. Community enterprises not only engage in business for the aim of promoting social causes, but they also reinvest any gains in ways that have the potential to benefit a specific community.