Reach for Change

A Message from our CEO Saying goodbye to 2024, Sofia Breitholtz reflects on the milestones achieved and the exciting opportunities ahead, focusing on the key partnerships and initiatives that empowered local social entrepreneurs and their communities. Read the CEO's blog post 👉 https://lnkd.in/dv6B3w5j #blogpost #SocialImpact #PartnershipForChange

We are nearing the end of another impactful year. Last week we hosted “Pitching for Change”, thank you again to all who joined us in celebrating social entrepreneurship and partnership. Here are some reflections from our Country Manager of Sweden Andréa Råsberg: 💭 Community community community. Over and over again the social entrepreneurs we meet state that it often feels like a quite lonely journey. The attendance on Thursday was a clear testament that there are so many people supporting, cheering and who are ready to join in to amplify our collective impact. 💭 With an idea, dedication and support a lot can happen in just a few years. The three entrepreneurs who are now graduating from our incubator program shared some impressive results in their pitches. Since joining us, they have all grown immensely and taken big steps increasing their impact for the community they serve. We look forward to seeing what comes next - Studiegården, Funki and Världen finns här. 💭 Entrepreneurship and social innovation must be given more attention, as it is yet not widely known as a method for societal development. We are therefore happy that our CEO Sofia Breitholtz, in the morning on the 12th was invited to the Swedish news program “Nyhetsmorgon” together with two of the social entrepreneurs who won a spot in our incubator, Lars Lundqvist and Yacouba Barry. Watch below to hear them talk about the work they do and the role Reach for Change plays in their development, wind to approximately 3.35 (in Swedish). 

2024 Through the Eyes of Social Entrepreneurs 💬 As 2024 comes to a close, we asked social entrepreneurs from our different programs to reflect on their challenges, milestones, and moments of impact. Here’s what they shared about their journey this year. Thank you for your commitment and let the upcoming year bring even bigger achievements and greater impact! Martin Vitek Hanan Abdi Yusuf Hussein Martine Kveim and Ella Luīze Zarāne 🩷 #socialentrepreneurship #socialimpact

Looking Back, Moving Forward 🌟

✨ Transforming Lives through Fitness and Sisterhood ✨  💪 Healthy Women started as a small initiative and is now an organization transforming young women's lives in Stockholm and its suburbs. 💡 The founder Susan Dahlbeck had a dream: to create safe spaces for young women to engage in fitness and community. With the Reach for Change incubator, Healthy Women grew from a local effort to a network that inspires thousands through social media and weekly training for 250+ participants. 💬 “The incubator pushed me to tackle new challenges,” Susan shares. Now Healthy Women aims to expand across Sweden, shaping a healthier, more equal future. 🔗 Follow the full story of Susan and her organization 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkpwCPrf #SocialImpact #SocialEntrepreneurship #FitnessForAll #GenderEquality

📢 Calling all social economy support organizations in Europe! Fill in the survey on scaling impact practices and help us to support you in the right way. Submit your response here 👉 https://ow.ly/tkm450UrCgN The Scaling Catalyst project is all about creating tools and resources for support organizations so that they can assist social entrepreneurs in scaling their impact. 🛠️ Right now, we’re in the needs assessment stage—and we need your insights! Tell us: How do you currently support social entrepreneurs in scaling their impact? What challenges do they face when trying to scale their solutions? How do you measure their success? 🌟 Your input is essential to help us design resources that truly meet your needs. Explore the project further 👉 https://ow.ly/WKhZ50UrCgQ Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Universitets- och högskolerådet. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. #socialimpact #socialeconomy #scalingcatalyst

We are thrilled to announce the four social entrepreneurs who have been awarded the "Change Leader" title and will participate in our 2025 Swedish incubator program. This announcement was made on Thursday during the investor pitch, where we proudly presented the winners on stage: - Lars Lundqvist, founder of FCV Sverige - Renato Dragic, founder of Akribian EdTech AB - Yacouba Barry, founder of Vision Generation Boll IF - Guuled Mohamed, founder of Young Talents Sweden “To tackle the many challenges we face in society, we must collaborate across sectors and engage non-traditional actors in our efforts. Social entrepreneurs often have valuable insights into core problems and their target groups but may lack the resources to elevate their ideas. Our incubator program provides them with essential tools and connections to public and private sector partners. I look forward to following their journeys next year and making a meaningful impact together,” said Andréa Råsberg, Country Manager of Reach for Change in Sweden. 📸 Yusuf Hussein, founder of Rise and Shoot 🕊️.

🌍✨ The Countdown to Innovation Begins! ✨🌍 On December 17, 2024, 37 bold green innovators are taking the stage at the Green Innovation Lab Pitch Day to showcase their game-changing ideas! 💡💚 These brilliant minds will pitch their solutions to local stakeholders and international investors, redefining how we tackle sustainability challenges in Ethiopia and beyond. 🌱 🚀 Expect groundbreaking ideas. 🌟 Anticipate transformative collaborations. 🔥 Be ready to witness the future of green entrepreneurship! 📣 Stay tuned for updates as we reveal more about the event and the inspiring innovators you’ll meet. 💬 Engage with us in the comments and let us know: What’s your favorite aspect of green innovation? #GreenInnovationLab #PitchDay2024 #SustainabilityMatters #FutureIsGreen #Entrepreneurship #ImpactInvesting #InnovationForGood Elsabeth TsegayeMekdim Gullilat Aberra Robel Debebe Yomuma Likessa Dawit Tilahun Betelhem Zewdie Lema Bizunesh Gelaw Seminas Hadera Zecharias Tadesse Dagim Temesgen Michael Kembo Vuyisa Qabaka Amity Weiss

Yesterday, three social entrepreneurs graduating from our Swedish incubator program took the stage to pitch their stories and ideas in front of a jury. The jury had the challenging task of deciding how to allocate the prize money. The entrepreneurs inspired us all, and we are pleased to share the results with those who couldn't join us live. - Jasmin Nasser, founder of Studiegården, won 100,000 SEK. - Josefine Hölling and Maria Svahn, founders of Funki, won 50,000 SEK. - Fatima Grönblad, founder of Världen Finns Här, won 25,000 SEK. Congratulations to all of you! It has been a pleasure to have you in our incubator over the past two years. We are truly impressed with the work you do, and your journeys are a testament to what is possible when you set your mind to something. We look forward to following your next steps in building a stronger and more inclusive society for children and youth. Thank you to Tele2 for generously hosting the event in your space. 📸 Yusuf Hussein, founder of Rise and Shoot

Second in our new speaking series “Change Talks” is John Laselle, an entrepreneur who participated in one of our earlier incubator cohorts in Sweden in 2012. 🇸🇪 🎉 In 2009, he co-founded the organisation Löparakademin (the Runner Academy) with some friends to promote health among youth in the suburbs. Now, 15 years later, they are still going strong. In this thought-provoking talk, John shares his insights from building an organization from the ground up, dispelling common myths. He emphasizes that it is much more than just offering physical activity; it is also about equipping young people for life and instilling hope and belief in their future. Watch John’s talk via the link in the comment. 🔗 Stay tuned for the final part! 🤩