A new, free, online I&E course, titled "Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship - Social and Rural Ventures", is being offered in May 2026 by EURECA-PRO (European University for Responsible Consumption and Production) partner University of Leon (ULE) in Spain.
Part of the EURECA-PRO Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programme, this course introduces students to social and rural entrepreneurship through a combination of theoretical insights, practical exercises, and interactive sessions. Structured into seven units across three main parts, it blends video lectures, presentations, live sessions, and guided feedback to give students hands-on experience in transforming real-world challenges into sustainable, purpose-driven ventures.
The course begins with social entrepreneurship, exploring its core concepts, its distinction from the public, private, and third sectors, and the triple bottom line approach that integrates economic, social, and environmental impact. Students examine global trends such as the circular economy and B Corps, and learn to identify opportunities by detecting challenges, analysing stakeholders, and applying tools like Design Thinking to develop user-centered solutions. Practical exercises include analysing local social enterprises and proposing innovative solutions.
The second part focuses on rural entrepreneurship, highlighting its unique characteristics and differences from urban contexts. Students explore diverse sectors beyond agriculture and understand institutional support mechanisms, including funding strategies and stakeholder engagement. Workshops provide hands-on experience analysing programs like SIMRA, demonstrating how rural ventures can thrive in context-specific environments.
The final part addresses business models and impact measurement. Students work with the Business Model Canvas and Social Business Model Canvas, explore different social enterprise models, and learn to measure and communicate impact using ESG indicators and standards such as GRI, SASB, and NEIS. Practical exercises guide them in developing their own social business model and defining meaningful impact metrics.
- ⏳ Dates: 04.05.2026 – 01.06.2026
- 🌍 Language: English
- 👉 Mode: online
- 🌟 Eligibility: anyone
- 🎓 ECTS: 1
- 🏛 Organising Institution: Universidad de León, Spain
- 🔗 Registration form: via EURECA-PRO Moodle LMS
- 📅 Registration end date: April 20, 2026
Please, take a look also at the series of three I&E courses in the EURECA-PRO Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programme 2026, shown on the poster to the right. The first course, offered by TUC has already concluded, but two more, offered by ULE and HSMW, are upcoming.
The EURECA-PRO project is co-funded by the European Union under the Grant Agreement No 101124439 "EURECA-PRO 2.0". Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.