Award in Social Enterprise Development

This module explores the way the existing NGOs can develop all or part of their organisations as Social Enterprises. The module will support the participants’ efforts to commercialise certain activities of their organisation within a value based framework. This framework must reflect the core values of their NGO and be aligned with the strategic goals and objectives of the NGO.

The module provides an EU centric perspective to the development of Social Enterprises. It provides participants with the required background to understand the dynamics of developing a Social Enterprise. It focuses on the hybrid nature of strong governance based on efficiency and efficacy of systems and procedures that respect both the social scope of the enterprise and the commercial context of its operations.

During the module, practical methodologies will be introduced and discussed with the participants, either as stand-alone or as group process, using up-to-date technological tools.  

1. Initial Analysis & Planning of the Social Enterprise

2. Defining the Purpose of the Social Enterprise

3. Planning for Operations of the Social Enterprise

4. Launching the Social Enterprise

5. Business Plans for Social Enterprises

6. Planning the Future of a Social Enterprise

Hours of Total Learning for this module:

• Contact Hours: 21
• Self-Study Hours: 72
• Assessment Hours: 7
• Total Learning Hours: 100

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

1. Apply the basic principles of marketing research to determine the validity of the proposed scope and purpose of the social enterprise.
2. Apply the core principles of project management to identify resources and any related constraints, to plan for their use in the Social Enterprises’ operations to ensure that deliverables are provided as promised.
3. Demonstrate the relevance of social objectives to the running of the commercial interests of the Social Enterprise with particular emphasis on managing any possible conflicts that may arise when dealing with the upside and downside of scaling the social enterprise.
4. Demonstrate to potential investors the relevance and significance of the social enterprise through the correlation of the people perspective, the context within which it operates, opportunities presented, and the key risks and potential rewards of the relevant investment.
5. Prepare an internal management control system that is pro-active and can help the social Enterprise maintain an on-going focus on its operations within the rapidly changing local and global environments and particularly, within the long-term interests of the beneficiaries.

Each module will be assessed based on the following components:

1. Quality of Contributions in Forums: 20%
   • Evaluation of participation and the quality of insights shared in online discussion forums.
2. Quality of Contributions in Tutorials: 20%
   • Assessment of engagement and contributions during tutorial sessions.
3. Assignment/Case Study: 60%
   • Completion and quality of assignments that demonstrate understanding and application of the course material.

Passing Criteria:

• Students must achieve an aggregate of 50% or higher across the three components to pass each module.

Scholarship Schemes for Maltese residents:

• MySkills Scheme: Malta residents are eligible for up to 80% reimbursement, capped at €5,000, subject to eligibility criteria. International students would be able to apply for the MySkills Scheme once they obtain their Student Temporary Residence Card (TRC). (For individual modules only)
• Get Qualified Scheme ( Scheme available for Maltese residents ) – 70% refund of course fee as a tax rebate