University of Windsor EPICentre once again partners with Libro Credit Union to promote and support social entrepreneurship in Southwestern Ontario. The Libro EPIC Social Impact Initiative was launched and supported through Libro Credit Union’s Prosperity Fund Program two years ago with the goal to encourage innovative solutions and business models that have direct positive impact to our society – whether environmental or social. Through the Libro EPIC Social Enterprise Programs, EPICentre has helped launch seven social enterprises in our community and provided close to $56,000 in funding to support their initiatives.
“As advocates for positive change, we are thrilled to continue this partnership with Libro Credit Union to support existing and upcoming social enterprises,” said EPICentre Director Wen Teoh.
With the continued support from Libro Credit Union, this initiative aims to help our community address the most challenging issues within our region, namely employment, financial resilience, local food accessibility and housing. Our three-step approach includes raising awareness on social entrepreneurship, providing skill development opportunities for aspiring social entrepreneurs and supporting new and existing social enterprises through funding and mentorship.
“At Libro, we’re delighted to be able to continue our partnership with the University of Windsor EPICentre as part of our ongoing work together to build knowledge, capacity and an ecosystem of social enterprise and social innovation in our region” said Lori Atkinson, Libro’s Regional Manager for Windsor-Essex. “Libro is a financial institution with a social purpose, and cooperative that is also a certified Benefit Corporation. Imagine if all businesses could operate in a way that was good for them, and good for society and the environment. Just imagine what we could achieve together.”
This collaboration has successfully engaged with 13 community partners and has attracted over 500 attendees to EPICentre’s workshops delivered by distinguished speakers and experts in topics specifically for social enterprises such as social impact measurement and human centred design thinking.
“I would like to thank Libro Credit Union for their continued support of this very important initiative facilitating positive societal change on our campus and in our region” said Dr. K.W. Michael Siu, Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor. “ Not only will their contribution help to promote social entrepreneurship, but it will allow the next generation of social entrepreneurs to address critical challenges facing the communities they live in.”
EPICentre in collaboration with Libro Credit Union hopes to launch this project in early November with the goal to continue the impact, education and awareness on social enterprises. Further details will be shared on our website at www.epicentreuwindsor.ca and social media.
Media Contacts:
Wen Teoh, EPICentre Director
wteoh@uwindsor.ca
519-253-3000 ext. 3913
Lori Atkinson, Regional Manager for Windsor-Essex Libro Credit Union
lori.atkinson@libro.ca
519-776-4373
