Social Entrepreneurs in the Spotlight in the Westfjords

The areas of focus among the five participating countries in the MERSE project vary, largely due to the differing states of social innovation development in each country. In Iceland, much of the work currently lies in laying the groundwork – introducing these concepts to the public and exploring how business advisors can best support social entrepreneurs. As part of this effort, an outreach tour took place in the middle of May around the Westfjords, with open meetings held in Hólmavík, Patreksfjörður, and Ísafjörður, specifically inviting local social entrepreneurs to attend. 

During the meetings project managers Steinunn, Ása and Annska presented the MERSE project and briefly reviewed definitions of key concepts. However, the main spotlight was on practicing social entrepreneurs: Anna Björg Þórarinsdóttir of the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft in Hólmavík, Birta Ósmann Þórhallsdóttir of the publishing house Skriða in Patreksfjörður, and Heiðrún Björk Jóhannsdóttir of Netagerðin – Creative Studios in Ísafjörður.

Peer-to-Peer Learning Among Social Entrepreneurs

One of the first tasks within MERSE was to identify best practice local projects in each participating area. In the Westfjords, Strandagaldur (Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft), Skriða, and Netagerðin were selected for this purpose. In the next phase, the selected social entrepreneurs were invited to participate in a training course hosted by the Social Enterprise Academy (SEA). These three women were also chosen to take part in that program.

The SEA course is designed to train social entrepreneurs in peer-to-peer education, aiming to build a supportive network of social entrepreneurs within each region involved in the project.

At the three local meetings, it was the social entrepreneurs themselves who took the lead, using tools and methods introduced to them through the SEA training. The meetings were highly successful and highlighted the vibrant energy and innovation present in the Westfjords. It was inspiring to hear how committed residents are to creating a good life in their communities. Social innovation usually emerges when residents step in to address gaps not met by public services or private enterprises and at some of the meetings, new collaborative connections were made, and ideas for future projects began to take shape. 

It is safe to say that a milestone has been reached in the Westfjords of Iceland with important knowledge about social innovation and social enterprises being spread by social entrepreneurs in action!