Social Entrepreneurship as a Development Driver in the Sociocultural Environment of Small Territories

Abstract

The paper discusses the influence that social innovations based on social entrepreneurship projects have over the sociocultural environment of small territories. Social innovations have become a known development driver in small territories by providing new opportunities for interaction between actors. This has resulted in improved communication and increased capacity for joint action. Growing cooperation networks address common issues, promote social partnership and help create new socio-innovative ecosystems, thus contributing to social capital. For this paper, we analysed semi-structured interview data collected during a field study of 2018–2019 in Volosovsky and Luzhsky districts, Leningrad region, and Kargopolsky and Velsky districts, Arkhangelsk region. We interviewed representatives of forty-eight governmental and non-governmental cultural projects and organizations in all economic sectors. The study revealed that systemic strategic collaboration between social entrepreneurs takes place with coordinating external influence. Business partnership and collaboration with no pragmatic reason develop simultaneously. This developing interrelationship between such actors is unique. Social entrepreneurship business models in small territories often include cooperation with other projects and offer complimentary products and services. Cooperation networks formed by social entrepreneurs actually include various actors, which leads to sustainable ecosystems. Cultural events and permanent platforms organized by social entrepreneurs are places where social projects, small businesses and residents of the territories all interact together. This environment forms new behaviour patterns that create new partnerships. We recognize the potential of social entrepreneurship to become a more substantial development driver in small territories, but more long-term studies are required in this matter.