Why You Should Consider Applying for the ECSB Event Fund?

Mar 5, 2026 - 23:00

On 10 October 2025, we had the opportunity to host the Collaborative Workshop on Minority Entrepreneurship and Social Change at Edinburgh Napier University. This event was supported by the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB) and the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE). The interactive workshop aimed to highlight the often-overlooked role of minority entrepreneurs and businesses in driving social change, both positively and negatively. It was a collaborative effort between the ISBE Minority Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group (SIG) and the ECSB Entrepreneurship and Social Change SIG.

Participants of Collaborative Workshop on Minority Entrepreneurship and Social Change at Edinburgh Napier University

Engaging Activities and Thought-Provoking Discussions

The workshop featured a variety of activities designed to engage participants:

Lightning Talks: Leading academics shared insights on minority entrepreneurship and its impact on social change.
World Café Discussions: Participants unpacked challenges, frameworks, and methods in an interactive format.
Collaborative Sprint: Attendees brainstormed and designed research ideas centred around social change.
Networking Opportunities: A platform for participants to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore future SIG and funding opportunities.
Reflections and Next Steps: Attendees committed to actionable changes in their research and practices.

The months of planning and preparation proved invaluable as we witnessed vibrant discussions and innovative ideas emerge.

Ideation for the minority entrepreneurship workshop

Building Connections and Strengthening Networks

One of the highlights of this workshop was the collaboration among the co-organisers. Together, we navigated the event fund application process, successfully bringing the workshop to life while also establishing strong connections between ECSB and ISBE. This collaboration even sparked interest from another organisation looking to partner with ECSB, creating a ripple effect of new opportunities

Inspirational Insights from Renowned Speakers

We were fortunate to host a selection of remarkable speakers, including Prof. Sukanlaya Sawang, Dr Deema Refai, Dr Sophie Alkhaled, and Dr Huriye Yeroz. Their inspiring presentations highlighted initial areas for exploration in the realm of Minority Entrepreneurship and Social Change, emphasising the importance of diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.

Key takeaways

We have acknowledged that certain points must be considered and measures taken if we aim to understand minority entrepreneurship and social change:

We need to reflect on the value systems we apply and the frameworks we use to define success.
To facilitate social change, we must also address political change, as social change is often limited when political pathways are blocked.
Sustained engagement with communities is crucial, especially for minorities in vulnerable positions, as a community approach is essential.
Social change should be balanced with individual change that arises from within, while also highlighting systemic and structural inequalities that affect minorities.
Everyone belongs to some minority group, and we are all either currently vulnerable or at risk of becoming vulnerable. Therefore, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies should benefit everyone, not just a small segment of society.
Much of the existing research focuses on the experiences of migrants, but studies should also include the perspectives of host countries to investigate the impact of social change more holistically.
The majority of research is concentrated on Western contexts, while there is an increasing criticism of and interest in non-Western contexts. However, we should also pay attention to “middle” contexts—those lesser-known situations.
Our education on entrepreneurship should incorporate discussions about social aspects as well as interdisciplinary areas, such as health studies within a business context.
We need to be more open to creative methodologies, including the use of visual arts, audio-visual tools, and performances, to capture voices that are often difficult to reach.

Get Involved!

If you are considering organising an event that aligns with your passions, we encourage you to reach out to the ECSB network. There are many like-minded individuals ready to collaborate. If you are unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to connect with the Country Vice Presidents or explore existing SIGs.