Bridging innovation and policy: how social entrepreneurs can drive global change

From climate change to poverty and education reform, some of the most pressing challenges of our time are being tackled not just by governments, but by a new wave of changemakers—social enterprises, nonprofits, and grassroots organisations. 

These organisations prove that business models and mission-driven initiatives don’t have to be separate. Whether through a nonprofit fighting for equitable healthcare or a social enterprise rehabilitating previously incarcerated people, impact-driven organisations are reshaping how we approach social change. 

But here’s the challenge: impact alone is not enough. To thrive and scale, social ventures—whether for-profit or nonprofit—need an ecosystem that includes policy support, funding, and partnerships. That’s where public policy plays a critical role, and that’s why we launched the Social Impact Hub at the Blavatnik School of Government. 

The power of social ventures: A $2 trillion force for good 

A young entrepreneur in Rwanda launches a nonprofit providing safe and affordable drinking water to 300,000 people from underserved communities. A social enterprise in India helps farmers convert agricultural waste into valuable biofuels and fertilisers instead of burning it. A social enterprise in France connects refugees and migrants with local communities. 

These are not isolated stories. Across the world, social ventures—both businesses and nonprofits—are reshaping economies, industries, and communities. They prove that economic success and social good are not opposing forces but powerful allies. 

Social enterprises alone generate an astonishing $2 trillion in annual revenue, employing over 200 million people worldwide. In the UK, social ventures and charities contribute £60 billion to the economy, while in the U.S. the nonprofit sector employs over 12 million people—more than the construction or finance industries. These numbers matter because they tell us one thing: social impact is not a niche movement; it’s a major economic force. 

And yet, these changemakers face immense barriers. Despite their contribution to economic and social progress, social ventures struggle to access the capital they need, with a staggering $1.1 trillion global funding gap preventing them from scaling their work. In response, governments and institutions are slowly starting to recognize their importance. In 2023, the United Nations formally acknowledged the role of social enterprises and nonprofits in global development, calling for stronger policies to support them. 

But recognition alone isn’t enough. If we want to unlock the full potential of social ventures, we need to do more than celebrate them—we must build an ecosystem that nurtures and sustains them. According to the World Bank, the growth of the social enterprise sector is driven by the integration of key support systems such as information networks, human capital, financing solutions, and policy frameworks. This means better policies, smarter funding, and stronger collaboration between governments, businesses, and nonprofit leaders. 

From global challenges to local action: Why the Blavatnik School?

The funding gaps, policy barriers, and disconnect between social ventures and policymakers aren’t just global trends—they exist within our own networks at the Blavatnik School. 

As MPP students, we’ve met peers who are building social enterprises, launching NGOs, and designing policy solutions that drive real-world change. Their impact spans continents—improving socio-emotional education in India, enhancing safety alerts in Afghanistan, and advancing sexual health education in Australia and body positivity in Argentina. 

Yet, no matter their focus, they face similar challenges. Where do social entrepreneurs, NGO leaders, and policymakers at the School connect? Where do they find support to scale their work? 

How can we bridge the disconnect between policy and those working directly with communities? 

At the School, we often talk about social impact—but how can we ensure that social ventures get the support they need to translate policy ideas into action? This is why we created the Social Impact Hub. 

Introducing the Social Impact Hub: a space for changemakers 

The Social Impact Hub @ BSG is a student-led initiative designed to empower social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and policy innovators within the Blavatnik School community and beyond. 

Our goal is simple: to bridge the gap between social ventures and policy, ensuring that ideas don’t just remain in the classroom but translate into action. 

Since our launch, we have focused on four key areas. First of all, connecting our community. We have compiled a database of social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders at the Blavatnik School to facilitate networking, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing. We have also focused on our convening power to host critical discussions. Our first two panel discussion looked at how we leverage low-tech solutions to create impact on local communities and storytelling for impact in the digital age. These sessions aim to inspire our cohort and the broader Oxford community. 

We also want to build our networks and develop peer support systems. We are organising informal events, including a Women Entrepreneurs and NGO Leaders Networking Session, to foster meaningful connections and collaboration. 

Finally, we want to create a digital hub. To keep our community engaged, we will soon launch a microsite and digital newsletter, providing updates, opportunities, and resources for social enterprises and nonprofit organizations. 

This is just the beginning. Our vision is to create a long-term, sustainable platform that equips Blavatnik School students with the knowledge, network, and skills to turn their social impact ambitions into reality.