A social entrepreneur needs the willingness to take risk (picture 1), persistence (picture 2), good results (picture 3) and loyal partners (picture 4).
Bridging the gap between drop-outs and a peaceful future Each year, the social entrepreneur Ingeborg Omdal Lykseth and her company lyk-z & daughters in Norway assists around 300 youths at risk to help them return to school and work, and live with self-confidence and happiness. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Mediateam
“Social entrepreneurship is very different from aid work or volunteering, since it relies on having a business model and making money,” says Ingeborg Omdal Lykseth, founder of the company lyk-z & daughters. Human emotions such as sadness and loneliness are sometimes diagnosed as anxiety and serious psychological disorders. But Omdal Lykseth believes in a completely different reality: that everyone has what it takes to make the changes they need for a happier future.
the bridge between knowledge and understanding. But they cannot do it alone. “We need brave commercial companies to support us. The supporting companies will, from the perspective to make a social impact, invest in our company to make it possible for more young people in their region to participate in the programme,” she says. The investment from each company will make big changes for the youth they can support in their region. The sum of investments will in total help several youths and save society big social costs.
Emil Eriksrød, CEO and partner at R8, one of the local supporters, says: “The dedication lyk-z shows to the programme is vital, and R8 wish to take part in the development of the local youth through the programme. Our target is that all of the local youth will find their way back to life and have stable work.” Omdal Lykseth is a social entrepreneur at heart; she cannot tolerate injustice. So what makes her keep the faith? “The belief that anything is possible – and it is actually in the small magic moments that change occurs,” she says. If your company wants to support youth in change, please contact: www.lyk-z.no/en
Build a bridge to understanding Lyk-z & daughters has developed a unique leadership programme: FROG Online Identity, a combination of workshop and online training. This training empowers the participants to take active steps to reach the future they want. During the training, they find their inherent qualities and unique abilities and experience a big emotional change as the training builds 80 | Issue 91 | August 2016
Left: The key to a peaceful future. Right: Emil Eriksrød, at the local supporting company R8. Photo: Max Emanuelson