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Social Business Program

SAWAB Foundation

1. Introduction

SAWAB Foundation’s Social Business Program harnesses the power of “enlightened capitalism” to tackle pressing social challenges in Bangladesh. Rooted in Professor Muhammad Yunus’s vision, our social businesses are non-dividend companies created to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to essential services. While investors may recover their principal investment, all profits are reinvested to expand impact rather than distributed as dividends.

2. Objectives

  • Poverty Alleviation: Generate sustainable income opportunities for ultra-poor households.
  • Enterprise Development: Foster micro-enterprises that combine financial viability with social mission.
  • Community Empowerment: Build local capacity through skills training, mentorship, and access to markets.
  • Environmental Stewardship: Incorporate eco-friendly practices to protect natural resources.

3. Target Beneficiaries

  • Ultra-poor families in rural and peri-urban areas.
  • Women-headed households lacking stable income sources.
  • Youth (ages 18–30) with limited access to formal employment.
  • Smallholder farmers seeking value-addition and market linkages.

4. Key Activities & Implementation Plan

Phase Activities Timeline
1. Feasibility & Design
  • Issue selection workshop with community stakeholders
  • Market research & social need analysis
  • Legal structuring & governance setup
 Month 1–2
2. Piloting
  • Launch pilot enterprise (e.g., organic produce aggregation)
  • Train 30 participant families in business management
  • Establish procurement and sales channels
 Month 3–5
3. Scaling
  • Expand enterprise membership to 150 households
  • Introduce complementary income streams (e.g., handicrafts, agro-processing)
  • Partner with microfinance institutions for working capital
 Month 6–12
4. Consolidation
  • Build external partnerships (corporate buyers, NGOs)
  • Implement impact measurement system
  • Transition to majority community ownership structure
 Month 13–18

5. Expected Outcomes

Economic Impact

150 families earning 30–50% higher household income within one year.

Business Sustainability

Social enterprise achieving break-even by Month 9 and reinvesting surplus into community development.

Social Benefits

Improved food security, enhanced women’s financial inclusion, and reduced seasonal migration.

Environmental Gains

Adoption of organic farming and waste-reduction practices by at least 60% of participants.

“Through SAWAB’s Social Business Program, my family learned new skills and now we have a stable income from selling organic produce. I feel proud to support my children’s education.”
— Rahima, Program Participant

6. Monitoring & Evaluation

  • Blended Metrics Dashboard: Tracks both financial performance (revenue, profit margin) and social indicators (household income, food security scores).
  • Quarterly Field Surveys: Collect qualitative feedback on beneficiary satisfaction, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Annual Impact Assessment: Independent evaluation to validate outcomes and inform program refinements.
  • Continuous Learning: Monthly review meetings with community committees to adapt strategies in real time.

7. Appeal for Support

Your partnership can accelerate our mission to demonstrate that business solutions can drive lasting social change. By supporting SAWAB’s Social Business Program, you will:

  • Empower ultra-poor families to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
  • Pioneer scalable models that blend profit with purpose.
  • Contribute to a greener, more inclusive economy in Bangladesh.

Join us in redefining success—not by dividends paid, but by lives transformed. Your investment today will seed sustainable enterprises that uplift communities for generations to come.

Partner With Us

Contact Us

Have questions, want to partner, or ready to make an impact? Get in touch:

Or email us directly: info@sawab.org