Welcome to Social Entrepreneur Corps! We offer innovative and dynamic international internship, volunteering, consulting and insight travel programs to university students, recent graduates and young professionals.  Social Entrepreneur Corps participants learn from and work side-by-side with international and local social entrepreneurs in Latin America. Social Entrepreneur Corps was founded by the leadership of Community Enterprise Solutions (CE Solutions) and the innovators of the MicroConsignment Model. Social Entrepreneur Corps is a social enterprise which supports the innovation and growth of locally-owned and managed social enterprises and institutions in Guatemala and Ecuador.  Join us as we work with our local constituents who provide access to essential products, services and knowledge to rural families through sustainable, entrepreneurial solutions. 

Through our years of experience as development professionals we are able provide participants with the highest-quality, most comprehensive programs which include Spanish language classes,  local home stays, in-depth development discussions and analysis and most important of all, hands-on social entrepreneurship, grass-roots opportunities. If you are seeking a once in a lifetime experience in practical, successful social entrepreneurship in a developing country environment, Social Entrepreneur Corps has a program for you.  But don’t take our word for it, read what one of our most recent participants has to say:

“My experience in the Social Entrepreneur Corps program was the most eye opening, inspiring, and educational adventure that I have ever experienced. To work alongside a non-profit organization helping create opportunities for the local population allows one to gain great insight on the complexity of problems like poverty, poor health, and a lack of education. It has been a life changing experience that has redirected my future career goals.”

Crystal C., University of Connecticut

Social Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship
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Highlighted News: Co-Founder Greg Vank Kirk selected as an Ashoka Fellow
After a rigorous selection process Greg Van Kirk was named an Ashoka Fellow in March 2008 for his work leading the team in the design, development and implementation of our unique "MicroConsignment Model" in Guatemala.

"Ashoka is leading a profound transformation in society. Ashoka strives to shape a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector: one that allows social entrepreneurs to thrive and enables the world's citizens to think and act as changemakers. Rather than leaving societal needs for the government or business sectors to address, social entrepreneurs are creating innovative solutions, delivering extraordinary results, and improving the lives of millions of people. Ashoka Fellows are leading social entrepreneurs who we recognize to have innovative solutions to social problems and the potential to change patterns across society. They demonstrate unrivaled commitment to bold new ideas and prove that compassion, creativity, and collaboration are tremendous forces for change. Ashoka Fellows work in over 60 countries around the globe in every area of human need. All Ashoka Fellows must undergo a rigorous search and selection process in which they demonstrate that they fully meet Ashoka's selection criteria.” – Courtesy of Ashoka website
 

Highlighted Project Field Work: Rural Access through Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneur Corps participants facilitate the MicroConsignment success of the rural entrepreneurs and organizations that we have identified, trained and continuously support. Through activities such as needs analysis, feasibility analysis, field support and evaluation, Social Entrepreneur Corps participants help to create sustainable access to essential products and services for villagers in need. Social Entrepreneur Corps volunteers make a profound impact. One of the priority goals of Social Entrepreneur Corps participants is to work with the motivated rural entrepreneurs and organizations that we have identified, trained and supported through needs analysis, feasibility studies, field support and the like to help create sustainable access to essential products and services for families in need.

Learn more about some of the solutions you will support by clicking on the links below:
 
SE Corps Leadership: A History of Successful Economic Development
Our leadership’s first innovation goal in 2002 was this; to establish a locally-sustainable group of unique tourism businesses in a rural community where none existed in order to create good paying jobs and stimulate continuous growth and development. We did it! To date (October 2008), with the support of Social Entrepreneur Corps and its sister/host NGO, Community Enterprise Solutions (CE Solutions) the Nebaj “El Descanso” tourism venture has been running profitably for nearly seven years. It is entirely owned and run by Maya Ixiles and has generated revenues of over $550,000. In the tough economic times of 2007 and 2008 alone these businesses earned nearly $150,000. Imagine the multiplier effect in the community. These businesses without question have been and continue to be the biggest generator of new capital (tourism income) for the entire region. No other development project has come close. And as for impact, given that the average Maya Ixil earns roughly $3 a day, this aggregate revenue amount is equivalent to over 183,000 days of revenue. In addition, several motivated individuals who began as waiters in the restaurant are now leaders in other CE Solutions initiatives. Isn’t that what development is all about? Success has been achieved for our first initiative but our mission is not yet complete. Through the elegant partnership of Social Entrepreneur Corps and CE Solutions, we continue to create concrete benefits for tens of thousands of Guatemalans every year.

 

 

 

 

 
Social Entrepreneur Corps is a initiative of New Development Experience, LLC. Email: info@socialentrepreneurcorps.com