Local systems often encounter a wide range of obstacles to the birth and development of social businesses on their territory. For this  reason the Yunus Social Business Center University of Florence and the research centre ARCO (Action Research for CO-development) have drawn up the Social Business City Programme (SBCP).
The programme lasts for a minimum duration of 3 years and aims at removing these barriers to foster enabling ecosystems for social business.

Social Business City Programme operates locally, involving the whole community with a participatory approach by networking internationally!

Operates locally

SBCP Activities focus on local factors such as :

  • Identification and solution of social problems
    A local approach that allows YSBCUF Researchers to identify and face cities’ social problems more efficiently. Every territory has its on characteristics and socio-economic dynamics.
  • Corrdinating local actors
    Shared geographic and socio-economic backgrounds ensure effective interaction between a large variety of actors and target groups, also facilitating co-planning and coordination activities.
  • Monitoring and evaluation 
    The implementation process can be monitored and evaluated at best at local level.

Involving the whole community

The programmes involves a large number of stakeholders and members of the local community including:

  • High school and college students
  • Entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs
  • Local authorities
  • Citizens and organizations
  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Chambers of commerce and business incubators

With a participatory approach

SBCP involves local actors in:

  • identifying the various obstacles that prevent the creation of a facilitating ecosystem
  • planning the interventions necessary to remove these obstacles
  • the development of a corporate culture oriented towards social business

by networking internationally

The SBCP supports and aims at connecting international and local practices and experiences, in order to stimulate networking and identify more effective methods of dealing with social problems.

Social Businesses born in different territories can have similar business models, but different characteristics, and be creators of innovative practices that can increase efficiency and effectiveness. This is why international exchange, especially between Social Business Cities, is strongly promoted.

Discover the Social Business Cities!