Project Update
September 2019
Eos Entrepreneur Foundation Eos Stiftung für UnternehmerInnen | Fundación Eos Emprendedores Purpose of the Foundation Support social entrepreneurs who address environmental and social challenges in order to achieve a positive, sustainable impact. Geographic Focus Latin America, Switzerland Eos = greek goddess of dawn, announces the new day, transforms the dark into light
Circular economy approach to sustainability
Eos ECIS Navigator self-assessment
Genuine hope social entrepreneurs
Cocoa in agroforestry CO2 reduction/sink capacity
Our Foundation focuses on the promotion and support of social entrepreneurs which is reflected in our daily project work as well as in different communication channels, e.g., website, social media and articles. There, we highlight a wide range of challenges which social entrepreneurs are facing: 2015 Migration and its consequences, 2016 Investment instead of Consumption, 2017 Digitization and in 2018 UN Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals and the contributions that social entrepreneurs can make in the communities. This year, we are focusing on the topic circular economy and the impact of measures on the climate. Overall, we like to emphasize that social and environmental challenges of our times should be taken up in a selfresponsible manner, that innovative solutions are sought out and implemented in order to achieve a more sustainable world. This is where social entrepreneurs come in. They are sensitive to social and/or environmental challenges in their communities and realize that solutions are lacking. In their own responsibility, they begin to address these challenges with an entrepreneurial approach. Our experience and studies show that they often fail during the solution implementation phase because they, for example, underestimate the resource management or financial means to reach sustainability. Nevertheless, well-thought-out social entrepreneurial initiatives and solutions are suitable for many societal and ecological challenges. However, they might need targeted coaching and, if necessary, start-up financing in order to achieve the desired positive impact. Have you ever wondered, dear reader, what a social enterprise is and does? Do you know one in your environment? Follow us into the world of social enterprises and how they approach projects, especially regarding the opportunities related to circular economy. Thanks to the Eos ECIS Navigator, the Foundation has the possibility to offer effective support for social entrepreneurs in Switzerland and Latin America. Also, in this Project Update you read about how the cocoa project, i.e. the smallholder farmers’ cultivation in agroforestry, significantly contributes to CO2 reduction which is therefore an important measure for climate protection. All this is possible only thanks to your meaningful support and commitment to our projects, be it as funding organization, private donor, as a member of the advisory boards and as coach. Thank you very much! Sincerely,
Dr. Erna Karrer-Rüedi Managing Director | Co-founder
Dr. Urs Karrer Vice-President | Co-founder 1