With its launch at the end of 2020, the Social Entrepreneurship Center is working at the international Erasmus+ project „Enabling Social Entrepreneurs to Scale their Impact Internationally“ among a consortium of European project partners. The aim of the study is to explore the skills and competencies social entrepreneurs need in order to internationalize their business model across the national borders of their home market. More specifically, the study aims at closing the knowledge gaps that currently hamper or prevent the social impact’s international scaling.

By classifying selected literature and drawing on a variety of cases, a framework for internationalization will be conceptualized. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis will provide insights into possible knowledge gaps with regard to relevant skills and competencies needed for the internationalization of social ventures. Subsequent phases of the project will include the conceptualization and practical application of an internationalization learning, teaching and training curriculum for social entrepreneurs. Lastly, policy recommendations promoting the expansion of social ventures at European level shall be derived.

Coordinating project partner of the consortium is EUCLID network, a Netherlands-based strategic partner of the European Union promoting social ventures. Supporting WU Vienna’s Social Entrepreneurship Center on Austrian side is Social Impact Award, an initiative aimed at encouraging young Austrian social entrepreneurs in their endeavors. Further, Italian partner Materahub, which fosters local social Entrepreneurs in the creative and social sector, as well as Cyprus-based Synthesis Center for Research and Education will provide their expertise. The University of Leipzig’s research program on Small Enterprise Promotion and Training will complement the project consortium.