1,2,3 Go Social was initially launched in 2012 – its aim has always been to support social entrepreneurs in developing their project. This is carried out in close collaboration with the “Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de l’Économie Sociale et Solidaire”.
Until now, over the course of the competition, the project holders are offered not only training but also personalised support and expert coaching. Those projects that had the best business plan were showcased during the annual closing event, which is a major event in the social entrepreneurship scene in Luxembourg.
Putting emphasis on the practical side
Operated by nyuko since 2015, the 1,2,3 Go social team felt inspired by the other services offered by the not-for-profit and decided to facelift the program. Pelagia Baxevani, 1,2,3 Go social manager explains: “Despite the effectiveness of the current program we aim to offer something more functional, more practical for entrepreneurs. Our rationale was spurred on by feedback and suggestions from our alumni. I’m convinced that this will have a real positive impact.”
Form-wise, 1,2,3 Go Social has changed its name to Impuls, a reference not only to its local, Luxembourgish roots but also to its ambitions. Impuls is given a new, more inclusive identity and a new website.
Content-wise, dynamism and the actual realization of each entrepreneurial project are at the heart of the program. The length of the program has been shortened from 12 months to 6, enabling two sessions per year to be organised, nevertheless without impacting the quantity or the quality of the offered services. The selected project holders will be find themselves challenged by hands-on goals and will be thoroughly supported throughout the program.
Hands-on results
The new set-up of the program is based on the Lean Canvas methodology: rather than being evaluated based on a voluminous document, the project holders will be encouraged to rapidly find their users/consumers and let these users contribute to the product creation. Consequently, the evaluation at the end of the program will be based on three criteria: first, the theoretical part will be conserved in a lighter variant. This will be complemented by a pitching session, and an evaluation based on a 6-month objective that will have been set with every project holder at the beginning of the program. Martin Guérin, CEO of nyuko: “The decision has been thought through and reflects our will to spur the creation of social business. We are keen to act as much as we can at our level!”
Call for projets
In order to transform these words into action, Impuls has launched a project call for the final spots in the first session: applications will be open until September 27. If you have an entrepreneurial project focused on a social or environmental mission, this program is made for you!
Leave a Reply