Strengthening Communities Through Open Business and Innovation – The OBCD Project
On May 5th, 2025, Helsinki Business College Oy hosted a national event that brought together partners of the Open Business for Community Development (OBCD) project – DIAK University of Applied Sciences, Silta-Valmennusyhdistys ry, Arvoliitto, as well as students and experts from across Finland. The event also introduced the international OBCD-project’s free training resources and a new digital collaboration platform.
Open Business Models for Social Impact
The OBCD project aims to promote open business models and support the development of social enterprises and innovations that foster sustainable community development and strengthen entrepreneurial skills. The event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, networking, and co-creation – with a particular focus on how business and innovation can help solve societal challenges.
Highlights from the Day
- Social Enterprises on Stage: Project partners and various social enterprises presented their inspiring work, showcasing how business, technology, and social goals can go hand in hand.
- Innovation Ecosystems in Action: Discussions explored how social enterprises can address local needs and how the interface between education and working life can be leveraged to support innovation.
- Research Insights and Policy Perspectives: A panel discussion and a data briefing by Arvoliitto provided a comprehensive overview of social entrepreneurship and its ecosystem in Finland.
- International Cooperation: The event also emphasized the international themes of the OBCD project, highlighting the value of cross-border networks and partnerships.
Social Enterprises at the Heart of Change
The event underscored the growing potential of social enterprises. Their solution-oriented mindset, use of technology, and commitment to social impact provide fertile ground for new ideas and experimentation – both in educational institutions and international development initiatives.
Looking Ahead: A Lasting Impact
As the event concluded, participants outlined a shared vision for the project’s legacy. Key goals include:
- Disseminating free learning materials to support social entrepreneurship
- Encouraging the growth of social enterprises
- Continuing pilot projects and experiments across partner countries
- Focusing on open collaboration, networking, and ecosystem engagement
“Social enterprises and open business are tools for building the future. Through the OBCD project, we’ve demonstrated how social entrepreneurship, education, and international collaboration can create meaningful change,” said Helena Miettinen, Project Manager at Helsinki Business College Oy.
Thank You – Let’s Keep Building Together
The OBCD project outcomes will remain publicly available for at least the next five years. Here are the key resources:
- OBCD Project Website (EN)
- Free MOOC Courses to Support Social Entrepreneurship
- OBCD Interactive Platform – A Space for Sharing and Co-Creation
- Policy Recommendations for Advancing Social Entrepreneurship
Warm thanks to all who contributed to the project. This is just the beginning – let’s continue building a more open, inclusive, and innovative future together.
Helena Miettinen
