Innovation and Entrepreneurship receives funding to support social enterprise

Yukon University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) is supporting social enterprise throughout the territory thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals Funding program. 
 
I&E will use this funding to raise awareness about the benefits of social enterprise and support Yukon businesses to incorporate sustainable development goals (SDG’s) into their business practices. This support will address the needs of businesses new to sustainability practises, as well as further enhance Yukon businesses that have already adopted one or more sustainable development goals into their social enterprise. 
 
“Yukoners already value and prioritize so much of what is described in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, so we will build upon this care for the land and its people by enhancing social enterprise throughout the territory,” said Lauren Manekin Beille, Manager, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 
 
This winter I&E will begin an awareness campaign to share the stories of Yukon businesses that have engaged in social enterprise in hopes of inspiring other businesses to do the same. There will also be online workshops and discussions on how Yukon businesses can further develop their sustainability practises through topics like responsible production and consumption and reducing inequalities.  
 
“We will showcase the important role that businesses can play in creating a vibrant, healthy world and highlight the types of practices that set these businesses apart,” said Caitlyn MacMaster, Strategic Projects Officer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “We hope other businesses, or anyone thinking of starting a business, will learn from these examples and from the educational programming we are offering so that they too can use create positive change and prosperity in their communities.” 
 
I&E welcomes all people to participate in these activities and hopes to reach Yukon communities online and through various marketing products given the ongoing limitations of COVID-19. More information is available on the Supporting Social Enterprise webpage. 

September 25th, 2020 marked the fifth anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly signing of the 2030 Agenda that created the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG funding program, administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), was developed in response to this commitment.