Main Trends in Social Entrepreneurship: What Mattered This Year and What to Expect Next
Social entrepreneurship in Ukraine continues to grow even under challenging circumstances. The end of the year is a good moment to pause, reflect on the key changes, and look ahead. Over the past months, clear trends have emerged that not only defined this year but are also shaping the direction for the next one.
For the Platform for Social Change, which collaborates with communities, social entrepreneurs, and initiatives across Ukraine, this year has been particularly notable in terms of emerging trends and approaches in social entrepreneurship.
This article highlights the main trends in social entrepreneurship and social innovation that were most significant this year. It provides a brief outlook on what should be considered going forward.
1. Local Focus as the Foundation of Resilience
One of the most visible trends of the year has been a strong focus on the local needs of communities. Social enterprises are increasingly emerging not “for the sake of a grant,” but as responses to specific challenges — a lack of services, jobs, or support for particular groups of people in a given town or village.
Why was this important this year?
- communities have become key decision-making hubs;
- local initiatives can adapt more quickly to change;
- trust in businesses that are perceived as “local” and rooted in the community is growing.
What to expect next:
In the coming year, local focus will not disappear, but it will evolve into inter-municipal cooperation — sharing models, scaling solutions, and building partnerships between regions.
2. Social Services as a Key Area of Social Innovation
This year, social entrepreneurship has expanded into the field of social services, encompassing care provision, support for older adults, inclusive services, and assistance for vulnerable groups.
Key shifts:
- social services are no longer seen solely as the responsibility of the state;
- hybrid models are emerging, combining business, community, and the public sector;
- There is a growing demand for quality, clear standards, and professionalisation.
What to expect next:
Social innovation in this area will increasingly focus on developing new governance models, strengthening partnerships with communities, and implementing digital solutions.
3. Veteran-Led Initiatives and Support for Reintegration
This year has clearly demonstrated that veteran-led initiatives are becoming a distinct and critical area of social entrepreneurship. This is not only about employment, but also about creating environments where veterans’ experiences are transformed into lasting value.
What was particularly important:
- the emergence of businesses founded by veterans or explicitly created to support veterans;
- the combination of economic activity with psychological and social support;
- a growing demand for dignity and agency, rather than traditional “charitable assistance.”
What to expect next:
In the coming year, the focus will shift toward the long-term sustainability of veteran-led social enterprises, with greater emphasis on training, mentorship, and integration into the broader economic ecosystem.
4. Education and Mentorship as the Infrastructure for Change
In the work of the Platform for Social Change, this year clearly revealed a growing demand for educational programmes, mentorship, and partnership-based formats that help social enterprises become more resilient.
Education for social entrepreneurs is no longer an optional add-on — this year it has become a foundational condition for development. The demand has shifted away from general motivational programmes toward practical knowledge in areas such as finance, management, and measuring social impact.
Key trends of the year:
- learning through practice and real-life case studies;
- mentorship as a long-term process rather than a one-off consultation;
- the growing role of communities and peer-to-peer support.
What to expect next:
Educational formats will become increasingly targeted and segmented, tailored for communities, early-stage social entrepreneurs, mature teams, and veteran-led initiatives.
5. Partnerships Instead of Isolated Solutions
One of the key shifts of the year has been the growing understanding that social change cannot happen in isolation. Social entrepreneurship is increasingly developing through partnerships with communities, businesses, educational institutions, and international networks.
Why did this become a trend?
- complex challenges require collective solutions;
- partners bring not only resources, but also expertise;
- the importance of ecosystem thinking continues to grow.
What to expect next:
Partnerships will become more structured and strategic, with more precise role distribution and a shared vision of impact.
What This Means for the Coming Year
Summarizing the year, it is evident that social entrepreneurship in Ukraine is evolving into a more mature, systemic, and responsible field. The focus is shifting from individual ideas to long-term solutions, and from enthusiasm alone to sustainable models that deliver lasting impact.
In the coming year, key priorities will include:
- deeper rooting in local communities;
- the development of social innovations in service provision;
- continued support for veteran-led initiatives;
- investment in education and partnerships.
For this reason, the development of social entrepreneurship is not a standalone direction for the Platform for Social Change, but an integral part of a broader ecosystem of social change.
