Twitter “Social Enterprise of the Day” Roundup

Monday, August 10, 2009 – Friday, August 14, 2009

After the success of our first week of themed Twitter “Social Enterprise of the Day” updates,  we have decided to continue down this path. Last week, we chose to highlight the work of great social media organizations that are raising awareness for noble causes – a bit broad, we know, but powerful, nonetheless.

The following four enterprises that we featured as our “Social Enterprise of the Day” are doing their part to raise awareness, and doing a good job. (Disclaimer: Friday, we were busy breathing fresh air and celebrating India’s Independence Day in the countryside.)

Monday, August 10, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – Video Volunteers

While we sit and observe a lot of social media, Video Volunteers is out in the field “accelerating social change by empowering community voices. Video Volunteers’ vision is to create a global social media network, which provides media for marginalized and poor communities around the world.

Devising models of sustainable locally-owned media, and developing training programs that give communities the journalism, critical thinking and creative skills to run them, Video Volunteers is busy empowering impoverished communities, especially illiterate ones, with a voice and a platform for dialogue.

You may wonder what inspired them — In 2002 the World Bank asked 60,000 people living on less than $1 a day to identify the single greatest hurdle to their advancement. Above even food, shelter, or education, the number one need identified was access to a voice. As a result, since its inception in 2006, Video Volunteers has been steadfastly working to create something on the lines of CNN or a BBC for the one billion people living on less than one dollar a day.

Their first step has been the community video model. Currently, they have eight Community Video Units (CVUs) in six states across India, ranging from the largest slum in Asia to the  remotest tribal regions of the country. Each CVU is started and funded by a local NGO that has chosen to invest in the vision of creating a ‘Global Social Media Network.’ Each CVU is comprised of six to 10 people from the surrounding slums and villages who are trained as producers. About every six weeks these producers shoot a video, , based on a topic decided by the community,  which  is viewed on wide screen projectors. About 150 to 400 people attend the screenings and discussions every night. In regions where most people cannot read or write, video is the perfect medium  to reach out to communities and raise awareness on key issues such as health, human rights, child marriage, access to water and livelihood and inspire the community to think about these issues and bring about change through action!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – The Condom Project

The Message is… Condoms. The Condom Project (TCP) was established by a group of AIDS educators, activists and artists to de-stigmatize the condom and to increase its use among sexually active individuals. TCP works to create a dialogue about why and how to  condoms should be used, and to communicate concise, clear and useful information about their effectiveness. While working to care for and support HIV+ communities at the Naz Foundation in Delhi, I was lucky enough to attend a workshop by the Condom Project. I have one word to describe the experience…stimulating.

One of the clear goals of TCP is to break down cultural barriers and myths about condoms and condom use. They teach local organizations how to use art,  and educational programs to effectively bring TCP’s message to infected, affected and at-risk populations. The primary tool that TCP uses to destigmatize condoms is the creation and distribution of Condom Art Pins. The second program is called 30 Seconds: A Visual Voice. This program engages young people to create 30-second video clips desensitizing the community to condoms. The clips are humorous, nonsensical, lack dialogue, and are set to music. They are not sexual in nature nor do they have religious content. Each 30-second clip represents the visual voice of youth around the world and represents a non-traditional approach to reduce the ignorance, fear and shame associated with condoms.

The videos are well worth a watch. Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 13, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – Planet Good on Blog Talk Radio

Thursday, August 14, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – Public Radio International: Social Entrepreneurship

For those of us with long commutes, there is no better source of informative entertainment than Planet Good on Blog Talk Radio and Public Radio International’s programming on Social Entrepreneurship. Planet Good Radio focuses on creating and managing profitable, socially conscious businesses. PRI’s Social Entrepreneurship Podcast highlights social entrepreneurs featured in PRI’s portfolio of programs (and is supported by our friends at  the Skoll Foundation).

Both broadcasts explore the leaders, strategies and new markets that are driving the evolution of conscious business – the highlight being dialogues with influential sector leaders. With social entrepreneurs – society’s change agents – at the forefront, both radio shows seek to highlight creative, and sustainable approaches to seemingly intractable issues such as poverty, climate change and global health.

They are well worth a listen (and a podcast subscription). If you want to “do good” both economically, socially and environmentally, these broadcasts will help you get there!