OASIIS – Bridging a network of global citizens for a new economy
ASC will act as host of an innovation network via OASIIS and foster a culture shift by harnessing a network of actors for a new economy.
Written by Tabi Ewing
OASIIS Highlights - found in the OASIIS Biennial Report
A quote exert from the first OASIIS Biennial Report
Summary statistics from the first OASIIS Biennial Report.
Unlocking Potential (U>P) is an impact evaluation tool created by Assist Social Capital and is one such tool which ASC will work to integrate into OASIIS. U>P uses social capital as a metric to produce robust, credible evidence on performance and whether desired outcome have been achieved. Several other tools will be collaboratively integrated into OASIIS with partners to build the capacity of users to implement progressive actions towards UN SDGs.
Film created as a result of an ASC led event, shown by ASC at the launch of OASIIS in Lima, Peru, about the role of social enterprise within protected areas. Film shows people making the most of the natural assets through a range of adventurous outdoor pursuits such as mountain biking, canyoning and sea kayaking led by ACE (Adventure Centre for Education, who feature in Case Study 2 of the OASIIS Biennial Report) within Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere in South West Scotland.
Launch of OASIIS in Lima at the WCBR (March 2016) for Biosphere Reserves worldwide.
This video also includes the extract from the Video John Swinney made for the International Thematic Conference in Galloway & Southern Ayrshire, October 2015.
In 2015, ASC hosted an international conference on Social Enterprise & Biosphere Reserves in Scotland which was aimed at supporting a new vision for Biosphere Reserves for inclusive Sustainable Development for the 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Lima, Peru, 14th – 17th March 2016.
John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth in the Scottish Government, was unable to attend the event but provided the introductory video to the conference.
An example of ASC ethos: Since 2009, ASC & OFRI have partnered to launched the Social Capital World Forum (SCWF) & Learning Village, as a space where social capital could be put into practice to enhance community well-being & resilience & achieve lasting impact. LV is a replicable model for communities anywhere to tap into local strength by host & a ‘hothouse’ for the co-creation of solutions to bridge the growing divide between the people who make policy & those whose lives are affected by it.
Explain your project idea (2,000 characters)
We live in a complex time of hyperconnectivity & global challenges, we must respond to secure a prosperous & peaceful future for our children. By harnessing digital & social networks & tools with shared values, we can unlock an effective multi-level network of networks. OASIIS (Opening Access to Sustainable Independent Income Streams) hosts tools & organisations which contribute to regenerative, rather than extractive economy, connect them with policy makers & investment, providing a win-win-win for entrepreneurs (SE), investors & local communities. Incorporating tools to broaden capabilities: build a collaborative network of tools and processes that deliver sustainable outcomes, incorporating regenerative economics, natural capital & impact investment that can be evaluated in multiple ways to valorise intangible & tangible gains. Host pollinating networks: Extend supportive geographic & thematic clusters/networks. Including thematic clusters (Youth, Outdoor Activity, Accommodation, Local Products enterprises, & Honey Producers) These are at early stages but already: Honey Cluster collaborated on funding proposal to extend reach, & participated in a north-south knowledge exchange with bee keepers in Ghana. Coordination: Coordination & in situ development of OASIIS and Replicating model: Protected areas hold potential on incubating SE for conservation targets & international strategy, extending current reach & support pipeline of OASIIS to include new protected areas & other landscapes (e.g. local authorities) Establish OASIIS as an income-generating platform to ensure long-term viability. 100% of profits to further advancing aims & objectives of organisation. Event - Power of bringing people together physically & digitally cannot be underestimated. 2 SE led bridging events; where the geographic & thematic networks can build strong bonds. Project represents the early stages of larger process, focusing on accelerating the growth of SE to achieve the UN SDGs.Who are the beneficiaries? (1,000 characters)
Through OASIIS ASC bring opportunities to social entrepreneurs in many forms. Adventure Centre for Education's Chris Saunders, featured in this video, joined ASC to an event they co-hosted in Italy. Read how they benefited here:
http://social-capital.net/assist-social-capital_CIC/adventure-centre-education-ace-event-report/
SEBR Honey Enterprise Cluster
This video was kindly created by Montagna Verde for the OASIIS platform and Assist Social Capital and formed part of a business skills workshop in Bia Biosphere Reserve, Ghana (March 2018).
The workshop was run by OASIIS partners, Challenges Ghana.
The OASIIS platform connects social entrepreneurs with tools and opportunities.
How is your idea unique? (1,000 characters)
Bridging social capital (SC), social entrepreneurship (SE) & protected areas (PA) while acting as a hub of impactful tools & a funnel for impact investment & building evidence on the contribution of SEs to UN SDGs is a new & exciting approach. ASC are SC experts & build networks of shared understanding & trust, ASC published the first OASIIS Biennial Report of unique data on SE landscape in PAs. OASIIS is a network of networks, via OASIIS SEs can connect, share resources, tools, solutions, opportunities, products & markets, building effective networks of change. The established Honey Cluster, connected producers in Italy & Ghana, exchanging knowledge & advice, an application to extend was submitted by the network. ‘Solutions’ are often constructed in silos with no roots in the community of interest. ASC take a 3-pronged approach working with local assets & solutions. OASIIS facilitates & supports bridges, but the building is done by SE & local communities.Idea Proposal Stage (choose one)
- Early Adoption: I have completed a pilot and analyzed the impact of that pilot on the intended users of the idea. I have begun to expand the pilot for early adoption.
Tell us more about your organization/company (1 sentence and website URL)
Assist Social Capital CIC (ASC) is a social enterprise which works to articulate the value of relationships as a key resource for health, wealth and wellbeing, ASC's vision is to see communities (of place, practice or profession), become resilient and thriving by maximising social capital as a critical resource. www.social-capital.net www.unlocking-potential.co www.oasiis-br.orgExpertise in sector
- 7+ years
Organization Filing Status
- Yes, we are a registered social enterprise.
In 3-4 sentences, tell us the inspiration or story that encouraged you to start this project.
OASIIS was inspired by a system of protected areas which does not utilise the potential of people, and specifically social entrepreneurs to advance the sustainable development of the areas involved. ASC founder Colin Campbell has many years of experience in building social enterprise networks & saw the potential of a global network of change-makers, made more effective via an online platform.Please explain how your selected topic areas are influenced, in the local context of your project (1,000 characters).
Social entrepreneurs (SE) often work in communities where prosperity has been affected by a multitude of factors, e.g. rurality & inaccessibility, isolation from support & services, aging populations, high unemployment. SEs tackle challenges & provide key services for the most vulnerable in society. Local contexts vary but there are always SEs. We have entered the Anthropocene, when human activities have changed the planetary systems. This time of crises is felt most by vulnerable communities who lack resources/support to adapt to major climatic & ecological changes, & often depend directly on ecological systems. Prosperity is also the richness of relationships (including with planet), ability to make positive change, community wellbeing & resilience. OASIIS makes socioeconomic contributions visible to attract social investment, knowledge, networks, & opportunities to accelerate & grow positive impact of SE & the overdue transition to an economic system that respects planet & peopleWho will work alongside your organization in the project idea? (1,000 characters)
OASIIS takes an unusual approach to organisational & community partnerships, actively collaborating with those who invest in, and see the local relevance of the OASIIS approach, which is highly adaptable. This fosters ownership & real systemic change. OASIIS will be a hub & network of tools promoting regenerative economics, natural capital and impact investment, building capacities through partnership and work focused on social capital. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves have been the testing ground of OASIIS, during this phase we have established strong partnerships with many communities & organisations. The letters of support attached here detail some of the organisations & community members who we work closely with. The case studies from page 12 of the OASIIS Biennial Report, outline some of our mutual partnerships.Please share some of the top strengths identified in the community which your project will serve (500 characters)
The communities of social entrepreneurs (SE) OASIIS will support, have shown interest in the approach. By nature SEs are active individuals, working to bring opportunities & services to their local communities. By connecting SEs & their organisations OASIIS builds a network of pollinators who inspire solutions to challenges. The community has a surplus of energy, ideas & action towards sustainable development which we aim to capitalise on for a more just, community focused economic system.Geographic Focus
Corroborated by letters of support: South & Central America, Europe, Southeast Asia, AfricaHow many months are required for the project idea? (500 characters)
The idea is the next phase in development of a continuous initiative. This phase will be implemented in 36 months & focuses on: Incorporating tools to broaden the capabilities of OASIIS; Incorporating user feedback; Hosting pollinating networks via OASIIS; Coordinating OASIIS; Replicating model; Events. The length of the project has been identified as in line with our strategic plan and business plan.Did you submit this idea to our 2017 BridgeBuilder Challenge? (Y/N)
- No
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Tabi Ewing
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