Become a certified social business with The Grameen Creative Lab
As one of the first organizations created to incubate and accelerate social businesses around the world, together with our partners we have developed a methodology* to certify social businesses. Our "Certified" logo will enable you to get credibility, visibility and maintain your impact journey coherent and sustainable.
*All we need is to know more about your organization around our 7 principles.
*Please note that the submission fee depends on the size of the business.
*The final certification fee can vary based on the consulting hours, and any final fee will be proposed and discussed by the Grameen Creative Lab before a final agreement.
Partecipa ai progetti di Verso Torino Social Business City!
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The Grameen Creative Lab is currently evaluating 20 social businesses for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss out on the opportunity to assess your eligibility and potentially receive the certification at no cost, or find out if you require consultancy to transform your business into a social business.
Fulfil the Criteria, and get the certification submission for free!
As a pioneer of social business in Europe, The Grameen Creative Lab is opening up the opportunity to submit the certified social business form for FREE!
If you fulfil the following criteria, fill out the form for free.
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CRITERIA
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
- The Business/entrepreneurship is in a start-up phase.
- The business's vision and mission must be focused on addressing one or more of the three zeros (social, environmental, or economic).
- The business must be in one of the countries recognized as part of the Global South or have operations that extend specifically to the Global South, per the list of the United Nations.
- Proof or documentation may be required to verify the start-up status.
- The eligibility criteria for the start-up phase will be determined by the company.
- Meeting the specified criteria does not guarantee automatic approval.
- The terms and conditions are subject to change at the discretion of the company.
- The company reserves the right to request additional information or documents for verification purposes.
- The decision of the company regarding the start-up phase eligibility is final.
- Any false or misleading information provided may result in disqualification.
- By participating, the business agrees to comply with all terms and conditions outlined by the company.
Why should you get the Social Business Certification?
Getting a Social Business Certification will allow you to:
Demonstrate your expertise
By obtaining a social business certification, you can demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field of social entrepreneurship and show that you are committed to creating a positive impact through business.
Showcase your work
Social Business Certification will allow you to participate in the biggest event of the social business, The Global Social Business Summit, and to show your work to the community by conducting workshop, joining panels, and networking with pioneers of the field. It also gives you the opportunity to join different events with special discounts.
Enhance your credibility
Having a social business certification can enhance your credibility and reputation as a social entrepreneur. It can demonstrate to stakeholders, investors, and customers that you are committed to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Access new opportunities
Social business certification offers access to a network of other certified professionals, as well as exclusive funding opportunities.
Open your door to new networks and partners
The field of social entrepreneurship is constantly evolving, and a certification program can help you stay up to date with the latest trends, and best practices.
What does it mean that you are a Certified Social Business by the Grameen Creative Lab?
Acquiring the Social Business Certification means that your organization is aligned with and follows Professor Muhammad Yunus’s principles of social business and the concept of all Grameen Organizations.
Consultants of The Grameen Creative Lab will review your business and provide you with a certification signed directly by Prof. Yunus and a logo that you can use to increase visibility and acquire more credibility.
You will have the opportunity to get assessed by the specialists from the Grameen Creative Lab which will enable the business to get accelerated to achieve the best results and to take a sustainable direction for a 3 Zero world.
Who can get the Social Business Certification?
Any social business endeavouring to make a positive impact on society and the environment must equip itself with the necessary tools and knowledge. To achieve this, it is essential to adhere to the following fundamental guidelines based on the 7 Principles of Grameen Social Business by Professor Muhammad Yunus:
PRINCIPLE 1
Business objective will be to overcome poverty, or one or more social problems (such as education, health, technology access, and environment) which threaten people and society; not profit maximization
Establish a social or environmental mission statement as the primary objective of your business. It involves identifying the purpose of the business beyond profit-making and developing a clear and concise statement that reflects the organization's commitment to improving the lives of people and the planet. This mission statement guides the decision-making process and ensures that the business's actions align with its values and goals.
PRINCIPLE 2
Financial and economic sustainability
Reinvesting profits generated by the business back into the same organization is another critical principle for social businesses. This reinvestment ensures that the organization has the financial resources to achieve its social and environmental goals while sustaining its operations over the long term. By doing so, social businesses prioritize their mission over maximizing profits for shareholders, creating a sustainable business model that benefits the community and the planet.
PRINCIPLE 3
Investors get back their investment amount only. No dividend is given beyond investment money.
Social businesses that prioritize social and environmental impact over profits often have a unique approach to investment. Investors get back their investment amount only, and no dividend is given beyond investment money. This approach aligns with the social business's mission and encourages investors to support the business for its social impact rather than its profit potential.
PRINCIPLE 4
When investment amount is paid back, company profit is to be reinvested for expansion and improvement.
When investment amount is paid back, company profit stays with the company for expansion and improvement. It is also important to keep track on how we reinvest this profit.
PRINCIPLE 5
Gender-sensitive and environmentally conscious
Social businesses also prioritize gender sensitivity and environmental consciousness. This means taking into account the impact of the business's operations on the environment and ensuring that the business practices are sustainable.
PRINCIPLE 6
Workforce gets market wage with better working conditions
Additionally, social businesses aim to provide better working conditions and pay market wages to their workforce, promoting fair and equitable employment practices.
PRINCIPLE 7
Do it with joyy!
We believe in doing the work with joy, by prioritizing employee well-being and job satisfaction, social businesses can create a more productive and engaged workforce.
The Journey for the Social Business Certification
Application
Submit the application form. Application is free if you avail the offer or fulfil the criteria.
Evaluation
After you fill-up the form, expert consultants from the Grameen Creative Lab will evaluate your submission and will get back to you within 15 working days.
Results
If your business is aligned with the 7 principles of social business, you receive the certificate by paying an annual certification fee.
If any of the principles are missing, the Grameen Creative Lab offers acceleration and consultation* to fulfil the principles. Once the 7 principles are implemented, you receive the certificate by paying an annual fee.
* Acceleration and consultation costs are separate from the certification cost. The cost is determined by the Grameen Creative Lab based on required hours and is only payable when agreed upon through a contract.
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