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Description
Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia (SEAL) unites more than 120 members in the field of social entrepreneurship. One of the most important aspect of SEAL''s field of activities is productive information flow. With efficient improvement of communication tools, SEAL will successfully develop its three fields of activity - information of general public about social entrepreneurship, creation of experience and knowledge platform, promoting the capacity of members and advocacy.
The aim of the project is to strengthen SEAL''s leading position in the field of social entrepreneurship by improving it''s visual, digital image, communication strategy and successful interaction of social entrepreneurship ecosystem''s participants, that will potentially develop SEAL''s financial flow. Determined goals of the project will be reached with the help of following activities: user experience design, membership attraction and retention, involvement of followers, association''s social impact evaluation, design of visual identity, technical and content improvement of the website.
The set of project activities'' results will provide a full-fledged study of the communication situation - the visual image of SEAL, digital presence, public involvement strategy, as well as create a rigorous development plan and quality tools for implementing the results. SEAL will be able not only to promote public participation, but also to ensure equal access to its resources for all members of society.
Summary of project results
The project "SEAL as a Stronger Ecosystem Leader" aimed to address several key issues and challenges faced by the Latvian Social Entrepreneurship Association (LSUA) in strengthening its role as a leader in the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. These challenges included:
Improvement of Digital and Visual Identity: LSUA needed to enhance its digital presence and visual identity to effectively communicate its mission, values, and activities to a broader audience. This was crucial for raising awareness about social entrepreneurship in Latvia and attracting more stakeholders to engage with the association.
Membership Attraction and Retention: The project aimed to address the challenge of attracting new members and retaining existing ones. LSUA needed a well-defined membership attraction and engagement strategy to grow its network, ensuring that social entrepreneurs, potential members, and followers understood the value LSUA provides.
Follower Engagement and Public Involvement: LSUA recognized the need to better engage its followers on social media platforms and ensure that its messaging resonated with a diverse audience. This involved creating a public involvement strategy to foster stronger connections with both existing and potential followers.
Effective Communication and Information Flow: One of the key challenges was improving the efficiency of communication within the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. LSUA sought to streamline the flow of information and improve communication tools to promote collaboration, exchange of experience, and support among social entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: LSUA needed to strengthen its role in capacity building for social entrepreneurs by creating an accessible knowledge and experience platform. This platform would offer resources, workshops, and materials to help social entrepreneurs develop their activities and foster collaboration within the sector.
Advocacy and Public Awareness: Raising public awareness about social entrepreneurship and advocating for its importance in Latvia was another challenge. LSUA needed to find ways to communicate more effectively with the general public and policymakers about the impact of social entrepreneurship on society.
Financial Sustainability: The project also aimed to improve SEAL''s financial sustainability by potentially increasing its revenue streams through better communication and engagement strategies, which would attract more members, partners, and supporters.
By addressing these challenges through activities such as improving the website, refining communication strategies, creating a visual identity, and conducting public opinion research, LSUA aimed to strengthen its leadership role in Latvia''s social entrepreneurship sector and ensure long-term impact.
The project "SEAL as a Stronger Ecosystem Leader" carried out several key activities to strengthen its role in Latvia’s social entrepreneurship ecosystem. Here’s a summary of the activities and outputs based on the description:
User Experience Research for the Website (Activity 1):
- Completed: Several meetings were held with a communications agency to analyze and identify shortcomings in the LSUA website. They conducted user testing to gather insights on how users perceive and interact with the website, identifying usability issues. Based on this research, suggestions for improvement were provided.
Attracting New Members (Activity 2):
- Ongoing: To develop an effective member attraction strategy, the project began with an analysis of the current member offerings. A workshop was conducted, led by a business development expert, where LSUA team members and board members discussed the organization’s activities, long-term vision, and member expectations. This activity also explored new ideas for attracting and communicating with potential and existing members. The activity resulted in the creation of a new member attraction strategy after holding two workshops.
Diversifying Follower Engagement (Activity 3):
- Completed: Long-term methods were explored to attract new followers and enhance LSUA’s capacity. A strategy for follower engagement was developed, covering an analysis of the current situation, best practices, and tested activities. Seven different engagement activities were tested, and the results were documented along with a future action plan to improve LSUA’s capacity and sustainability.
Evaluation of LSUA’s Social Impact (Activity 4):
- Completed: Together with a public opinion research company, a quantitative survey was conducted online with 1,000 respondents. The survey, available in both Latvian and Russian, gathered data about public perceptions of LSUA’s social impact. The results provided valuable insights used for advocacy, securing additional funding, and enhancing LSUA’s communication.
Enhancing Visual Identity (Activity 5):
- Initiated: Based on the findings from the user experience research, LSUA’s visual identity was improved. This involved creating a consistent visual identity used across various communication formats (e.g., email signatures, newsletters, social media, official documents). A new visual solution for the website was also developed.
Technical and Content Improvements to the Website (Activity 6):
- Pending: This activity is set to begin after the new visual design is completed. Communication between the visual designer and the programmer is ongoing to finalize potential improvements for the website’s functionality and content based on user experience research.
These activities resulted in enhanced communication tools, strategies for member and follower engagement, and improved public visibility of LSUA, all of which strengthen the organization’s capacity and sustainability in the social entrepreneurship field.
The project "SEAL as a Stronger Ecosystem Leader" achieved several important results that had a significant impact on both the Latvian Social Entrepreneurship Association (LSUA) and its broader community of stakeholders. The outcomes and their beneficiaries can be summarized as follows:
1. Improved Digital Presence and Usability (Beneficiaries: LSUA Members and the Public)
- Outcome: LSUA''s website was improved in terms of user experience, functionality, and visual appeal. The analysis and feedback from user testing led to the identification and correction of usability issues, ensuring that visitors could access information more easily and effectively.
- Impact: This enhanced digital presence made it easier for LSUA members, social entrepreneurs, and the public to access important resources and information. The improved website also served as a key tool for promoting social entrepreneurship and LSUA’s activities.
2. Increased Membership (Beneficiaries: Existing and New LSUA Members)
- Outcome: The project led to the creation of a strategic plan for attracting new members. As a result of focused efforts on membership attraction, 20 new members joined LSUA, bringing the total to 146.
- Impact: This growth expanded LSUA’s network, providing more opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and support among social entrepreneurs. Existing members also benefited from a stronger association with increased resources and influence in the sector.
3. Enhanced Follower Engagement and Public Involvement (Beneficiaries: Social Entrepreneurs, Followers, and the General Public)
- Outcome: A diversified strategy for engaging followers on social media and other platforms was developed and implemented. This included testing and refining various methods for engaging the public.
- Impact: The strategy resulted in increased social media followers (on Facebook and LinkedIn) and more people receiving LSUA’s regular newsletters. This broadened LSUA’s reach and strengthened its role in raising awareness about social entrepreneurship. Followers, including potential social entrepreneurs and the general public, were more informed and engaged with the field of social entrepreneurship.
4. Public Opinion Research on Social Entrepreneurship (Beneficiaries: LSUA, Social Entrepreneurs, Policymakers)
- Outcome: A comprehensive public opinion survey was conducted with 1,000 respondents, providing valuable data on public perceptions of social entrepreneurship and LSUA’s role.
- Impact: The data collected is being used by LSUA for advocacy efforts, helping to secure additional funding and raise awareness of social entrepreneurship’s value in Latvia. This research benefits LSUA, social entrepreneurs, and policymakers by informing decisions that support the sector’s growth.
5. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing (Beneficiaries: LSUA Members, Social Entrepreneurs)
- Outcome: The project developed a high-quality knowledge and experience platform, making LSUA’s resources (e.g., workshops, materials) more accessible and usable by members and social entrepreneurs.
- Impact: Social entrepreneurs and LSUA members benefited from increased access to learning and development opportunities. The knowledge-sharing platform helped members improve their entrepreneurial skills, expand their networks, and grow their social enterprises.
6. Strengthened Visual Identity and Communication (Beneficiaries: LSUA, Followers, Members)
- Outcome: LSUA’s visual identity was refreshed, creating a more unified and professional brand image that was integrated into the website, email signatures, social media, and official communications.
- Impact: This strengthened brand presence helped LSUA communicate more effectively with its audience, including potential members, partners, and the broader public. The clear and cohesive visual identity contributed to LSUA’s credibility and recognition as a leader in social entrepreneurship.
7. Enhanced Internal Resources and Strategy (Beneficiaries: LSUA Team and Board)
- Outcome: The project provided an opportunity for LSUA to reorganize its internal resources, introduce new ideas, and create a more effective communication strategy.
- Impact: The LSUA team and board members benefited from clearer internal processes, a strategic direction for membership growth and public engagement, and more efficient communication tools. This strengthened LSUA’s ability to fulfill its mission and ensure long-term sustainability.
Overall Impact:
The project made LSUA a stronger leader in the social entrepreneurship ecosystem by improving its digital presence, enhancing communication, and expanding its membership base. Social entrepreneurs, LSUA members, followers, and the general public all benefited from these improvements, which fostered greater engagement, support, and collaboration within Latvia’s social entrepreneurship sector.