Types of Social Enterprise — Integrated Model

When operations and impact overlap slightly.

In a previous blog post we looked at the different types of social enterprise model, and this time we’re delving deeper into the integrated model.

The integrated model often sees a social enterprise’s income generating activity partly fund some of the social activities within the social enterprise. At the same time the business side of things will also directly contribute to other forms of social good. However the product or service they offer is unlikely to solve some sort social or environmental need.

One common integrated model is where the social enterprise sells one product, but charges a premium to one customer which ultimately subsidises the other.

Example 1 — Aravind Eye Care

This great example of a social enterprise in India identified the problem in rural villages where it was very hard for locals to access adequate eye care services. There was no provision for them locally, the nearest one could be hundreds of miles away and then there was the problem with affordability.

Aravind solved this by offering subsidised outreach services for the villagers, whilst charging those who could afford it an appropriate amount that would subsidise the…