Social Entrepreneurship in Argentina

Abstract

This chapter, “Social Entrepreneurship in Argentina: The Role of Mission-Driven Organizations on the Pathway to Inclusive Growth,” presents an overview of Argentina’s socioeconomic trends and examines its social entrepreneurship ecosystem by analyzing key players, challenges, and opportunities. The authors find that the sector’s organizations bridged social and pro-employment policies with marginalized groups, channeled key social and environmental issues that inspired new public policies, and piloted social innovations within the development sector. The chapter highlights the need to increase their participation in policy since this is key to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which require social legitimacy and bottom-up experimentation. Globally, many nations seeking to boost economic growth while tackling such complex issues as climate change and inequalities. This poses the question: How can growth become more inclusive, sustainable, and “smart” (innovation-led)? The Argentine experience illustrates how and why social enterprises and civil society organizations can play a strategic role in this agenda.