Launched in December 2023, the “Social Entrepreneurship in Time of Crises” (SE.TC) project is making waves in Lebanon, empowering youth, and fostering innovation and sustainable development, especially in underserved communities.
Led by Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) and backed by Lebanese and European partners, this Erasmus+ project is strengthening Lebanon’s social entrepreneurship ecosystem through skills-building and collaboration.
Academia as a catalyst for change: the importance of students
Universities play a crucial role in nurturing future social entrepreneurs. SE.TC is integrating social entrepreneurship into higher education, underscoring its significance at the “Erasmus Session on Capacity Building in Higher Education” webinar – at the virtual premise of the National Erasmus+ Office in Lebanon – in December 2024.
In March 2025, another key step in this direction took place: the presentation of the project achievements to the students of the Business School of Saint Joseph University, Beirut. The project is more than just a training program—it is a movement to empower students as the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. By equipping them with essential skills, mentorship, and real-world experience, SE.TC is preparing young minds to drive innovation and address Lebanon’s most pressing social challenges.
Lebanese universities are about to finalize a new program for students focused on Social Entrepreneurship, branded SE.TC, and offered to all interested learners in the university. This program will offer students with different backgrounds the opportunity to:
- Develop entrepreneurial solutions to tackle urgent social issues;
- Gain hands-on experience and expert mentorship to refine their business ideas;
- Build resilience and leadership skills to become agents of change in their communities.
Crises often breed innovation, and Lebanon’s youth have the potential to rise to the challenge. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and providing the right tools, SE.TC is ensuring that Lebanese students are not just preparing for the future but actively shaping it.