CATALYSE Workshop 1: Is social enterprise right for me?

Many people jump straight to solutions. But successful social enterprises begin with understanding the issue, the context, and your unique ability to contribute. This practical, reflective workshop will help you explore possibilities before committing to a particular idea or direction. You'll leave with greater clarity, confidence, and a stronger foundation for deciding what comes next. Following this workshop, you can also join our Catalyse Workshop 2 which helps you map out the key parts of your social enterprise in more depth. Who it's for People who care deeply about a social or environmental issue and are wondering whether social enterprise could be a way to create change. You might be: • Passionate about a community, issue, or challenge and wanting to contribute more meaningfully • Exploring an idea but want to explore it more before investing significant time or money • Considering a career or life change towards purpose-driven work • Wondering whether social enterprise is the right path for you • Curious to see how your skills, experience, values, and motivations might contribute to creating impact No business experience or developed concept is required. What we'll explore Why Social Enterprise? Explore what social enterprise is, how it creates impact, and what the realities of the journey look like. Consider different models, examples, opportunities, and challenges to determine whether social enterprise feels like the right fit for you. Why Me? Reflect on your strengths, values, lived experience, motivations, and networks. Discover what you bring to the work and how your personal story can shape the way you contribute to change. Why This? Develop a deeper understanding of the issue, challenge, or opportunity that matters to you. Explore different perspectives, stakeholders, existing responses, and what still needs to be better understood. Why Now? Examine why this issue matters today and whether now is the right time to pursue it. Consider the wider context, opportunities, barriers, and conditions that could support or hinder your efforts. How Might I Contribute? Generate and explore different ways you could create change. Consider a range of possible approaches, identify promising directions, and begin clarifying what assumptions need to be tested before moving forward. You'll leave with • Clarity on whether social enterprise is right for you right now • A deeper understanding of the issue you care about and why it matters • Insight into your strengths, values, lived experience, and what you bring • New perspectives on how you might contribute to meaningful change • Early ideas explored from multiple angles • A first map of who to talk to, what to investigate, and what to test • Greater confidence in your next step, whatever that may be Not for you if... This workshop is not designed for people who already have a validated social enterprise concept and are ready to build business plans, financial models, or operational structures.