Social entrepreneurship at Humber College: summer school for future changemakers in Toronto

The market no longer just wants profit. Investors demand robust ESG metrics, consumers choose purposeful brands, and professionals seek careers that generate real impact. The social entrepreneurship summer school at Humber College prepares you for this new economy, offering three intensive weeks in Toronto focused on the “people, profit, planet” methodology applied to complex global problems.

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What does it mean to be a changemaker in 2026

Changemakers don't expect permission to create change. They identify systemic problems (poverty, environmental degradation, human rights abuse), understand the structures that perpetuate those problems, and design scalable solutions that work within real-world constraints.

Unlike traditional activism or corporate philanthropy, social entrepreneurship combines strategic business thinking with social responsibility. You create financially sustainable ventures that generate profit while solving concrete social or environmental problems.

Examples of social entrepreneurship in action:

• Companies that employ marginalized populations paying decent wages
• Business models that make essential services affordable for low incomes
• Ventures that close waste cycles generating income for waste pickers
• Platforms that connect small producers directly to conscious consumers

The summer school at Humber College doesn't just teach theory. You work on real projects, interact with Toronto social entrepreneurs, and develop your own social action plan over the three weeks.

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People, Profit and Planet methodology explained

The triple bottom line (three Ps) recognizes that businesses exist within complex social and environmental systems. Maximizing profit by destroying communities or ecosystems is not success, it's externalizing costs that eventually return.

People: How does your venture impact human stakeholders? Do employees receive decent salaries and safe conditions? Do you serve historically excluded communities? Does your product or service strengthen or weaken the social fabric?

Profit (profit): Financial sustainability is not optional. Social ventures that rely on eternal donations don't scale. You need to understand cost structures, revenue models, margins, and break-even paths that allow for reinvestment and growth.

Planet (planet): What is your environmental footprint? Do you extract resources regeneratively or extrativistically? Do your processes close cycles or generate externalities? How do you contribute (or not) to climate mitigation?

During the course at Humber College, you analyze real cases of ventures that balance these three elements, identify inevitable trade-offs, and develop frameworks for making decisions when these three Ps come into conflict.

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Structure of the three-week program

From July 10 to August 1, 2026, classes take place from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 to 11:30. This structure frees up afternoons for visits to social enterprises, meetings with entrepreneurs and the development of your own project.

Course modules:

1. Foundations of social entrepreneurship: History of the movement, differences between charity, CSR and impact ventures
2. Complex problems and systemic thinking: How poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation are perpetuated by systemic structures
3. Business models for impact: B Corps, cooperatives, social enterprises, hybrid models
4. Impact measurement: How to quantify social change beyond financial metrics
5. Development of a social action plan: Hands-on methodology to transform ideas into implementable projects

The course combines lectures, case studies, facilitated discussions, and project-based learning. Not only do you learn about social entrepreneurship, you practice developing a concrete action plan that you can implement after the program.

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Visits to social enterprises in Toronto

Toronto is home to a vibrant social entrepreneurship ecosystem. The city has more than 200 certified social enterprises, dozens of B Corps and municipal policies that encourage social procurement (preference for government contracts with impact companies).

Examples of organizations visited in previous editions:

• Social employment enterprises: Ventures that train and employ people with barriers to the market (ex-convicts, refugees, people with disabilities)
• Food security initiatives: Projects that transform local food systems to ensure access to healthy food in food deserts
• Circular economy ventures: Companies that redesign production chains to eliminate waste
• Tech for good startups: Platforms that use technology to democratize access to essential services

These visits are not touristic. You talk to founders about real challenges, analyze their financial structures, discuss ethical dilemmas they faced, and understand how they balance the three Ps in their daily operations.

Direct access to these social innovators offers insights that are impossible to obtain in the classroom alone. You see how theory translates (or fails to translate) into practical reality.

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Development of own social action plan

The summer school's main deliverable is its social action plan: a structured document that details a social impact project that you can implement. It's not a theoretical exercise, it's a blueprint for real action.

Components of the social action plan:

• Problem statement: What specific problem are you addressing and why does it matter
• Stakeholder analysis: Who is impacted and how different groups benefit or resist the solution
• Theory of Change: How your intervention will generate systemic change in addition to immediate outputs
• Business model canvas: Cost structure, revenue sources, required resources, key partnerships
• Impact measurement framework: How will you measure success beyond financial metrics
• Implementation roadmap: Concrete steps for the next 6-12 months

You develop this plan iteratively over the three weeks, receiving feedback from teachers, visiting entrepreneurs, and peers. At the closing ceremony, she presents her project to the class.

Many former students report that their social action plans developed at summer school became the basis for real ventures launched later. The process forces clarity of thought that transforms vague ideas into concrete proposals.

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Academic Credential and International Networking

Upon completing the program, you receive 3 academic credits from Humber College (equivalent to 6 European ECTS) validated by your home institution, in addition to an Official Certificate of Completion in Social Entrepreneurship.

This credential sets you apart in a growing market. Impact organizations, foundations, impact investment funds, corporate ESG departments, and development agencies value candidates with structured knowledge about how to balance profit with purpose.

The classes bring together students and young professionals from more than 40 countries, all driven by an interest in creating systemic change. You find:

• Business students seeking alternatives to traditional capitalism
• Activists wanting management tools to scale impact
• Professionals transitioning their careers to the impact sector
• Early-stage entrepreneurs refining social business models

Breakfast conversations, group work, and discussions about ethical dilemmas create deep connections. Many alumni form partnerships, co-found ventures, or collaborate on future projects.

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Why Toronto is a social impact hub

Toronto leads globally in diversity, inclusion, and social innovation. Over 50% of the population was born outside Canada, creating a multicultural environment that naturally fosters empathy for global challenges.

Impact ecosystem in Toronto:

• Over 200 certified social enterprises operating in diverse sectors
• Dozens of B Corps (certified companies that balance profit with purpose)
• Impact investment funds with billions under management
• Municipal social procurement policies that prefer contracts with impact ventures
• Robust network of incubators and accelerators focused on social innovation

Studying at Humber College means direct access to this ecosystem. During visits and lectures, you meet impact investors, established entrepreneurs, government program managers, and leaders of innovative NGOs.

For those considering longer programs in Canada, the summer school works as a test. You get to know the city, evaluate the local social impact market and decide if you want to return to Public college in Canada in related areas such as NGO management, sustainable development or social innovation.

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All-inclusive program focused on learning

The summer school eliminates logistical concerns so that you can fully focus on the development of your project and connections with the ecosystem. The program includes:

• Reception at Toronto International Airport
• Lakeshore Campus Student Residence Accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Complete health insurance
• Presto Card with initial recharge for public transport
• All visits to social enterprises and activities
• Opening and Closing Ceremonies

In addition to technical visits to impactful ventures, the program offers cultural activities: Niagara Falls tour, Blue Jays game, boat party on Lake Ontario. Toronto offers museums, summer festivals, and gastronomic diversity that reflect its multiculturalism.

The Lakeshore campus is on the shores of Lake Ontario with easy access to public transportation, allowing exploration of different neighborhoods on the weekends.

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Requirements and ideal participant profile

The social entrepreneurship course at the Humber College summer school is aimed at:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Level of English: advanced intermediate (discussions about complex social problems require reasonable fluency)
• Different background: students of business, social sciences, international relations, engineering, design
• Genuine interest in addressing global challenges through scalable citizen solutions

Prior experience with entrepreneurship or NGO management is not required. The course builds on fundamentals and builds knowledge progressively. However, basic familiarity with business concepts (costs, revenues, margins) facilitates utilization.

Whether you question traditional business models focused solely on profit, seek purposeful careers, or want practical tools to transform activism into scalable action, this program offers a solid foundation.

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Market trends for changemakers

The social impact sector is growing exponentially, driven by multiple converging trends:

Investor pressure: Pension funds, family offices, and institutional investors require robust ESG metrics. Companies that ignore social and environmental impact lose access to capital.

Generational change: Millennials and Gen Z choose employers and brands based on values, not just salary or price. Companies that don't demonstrate authentic purpose lose talent and customers.

Increasing regulation: Governments implement legislation that penalizes negative externalities and encourages regenerative business models. Ventures that anticipate these changes gain a competitive advantage.

Impact investing on the rise: Impact investment funds manage trillions of dollars globally, seeking ventures that generate financial returns with measurable social impact.

Professionals with structured knowledge on how to balance the three Ps find opportunities in impact startups, ESG consultancies, foundations, corporate sustainability departments, international development agencies, and their own ventures.

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Connection with other international programs

The summer school experience serves as a gateway to longer programs in Canada. Students planning to do University abroad in areas such as development studies, social innovation or sustainable business, they benefit from knowing the Canadian education system in advance.

For those seeking Learn a language abroad, particularly vocabulary related to social impact and sustainability, the summer school offers specialized immersion that is different from generic courses.

Professionals considering private college with co-op in business or management, summer school can be used as validation before committing to longer programs.

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Preparation before summer school

Some preparations maximize their use:

Preparatory reading: Familiarize yourself with basic concepts of the business model canvas, change theory, and impact measurement. Books like “Reimagining Capitalism” and “The Blue Sweater” provide useful context.

Reflection on purpose: Identify social or environmental problems that genuinely move you. The social action plan that you will develop works best when connected to authentic motivations.

Research about Toronto: Read about the city's social impact ecosystem, local B Corps, and progressive policies. This contextual base enriches visits and discussions.

Practical preparation: Organize documentation, separate clothes for Canadian summer (20-28°C during the day, cool nights), and prepare questions for the social entrepreneurs you will visit.

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Impact on your professional development

Summer school transforms the way you think about career and success. Living three weeks with people who prioritize impact over traditional status recalibrates their own definitions of professional achievement.

Former participants report concrete post-program changes:

• Career transitions to the impact sector (corporations for social ventures, traditional consultancy for impact investing)
• Launch of own ventures based on developed social action plans
• Reorientation of corporate careers to include impact metrics
• Admission to master's programs focused on social innovation or sustainable development

In addition to these visible changes, the program develops a differentiated mindset: ability to identify systemic problems (not just symptoms), think of scalable solutions (not just specific interventions), and balance idealism with financial pragmatism.

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Cost-benefit of three weeks

Three weeks represent a viable period that does not compromise schedules but generates disproportionate impact. The all-inclusive format offers exceptional value for money:

• Official Humber College academic credential
• Full accommodation in a student residence
• Access to Toronto's impact ecosystem (normally closed)
• Visits to real social enterprises
• Development of an implementable social action plan
• International networking with purpose-driven peers
• Health insurance and full support

For students, the knowledge and network acquired open doors to internships and positions in an impact sector. For professionals, it offers practical tools to transform concerns about purpose into concrete action.

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Next steps and registration

Places for the social entrepreneurship summer school at Humber College 2026 are limited due to the experiential nature of the program. The selection process considers academic or professional background, proficiency in English and, above all, a clear demonstration of interest in creating systemic change.

Required documentation includes a transcript or professional CV, proof of English proficiency, and motivation letter explaining what social or environmental problem you would like to address and why.

Candidates are evaluated not only for grades, but for authenticity of purpose and potential to contribute to discussions about complex ethical dilemmas that do not have easy answers.

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Be Easy

Be Easy connects young people to international educational programs that transform purpose into action. Our team offers full support from choosing the ideal program to your arrival in Toronto, ensuring that you enjoy every moment of summer school at Humber College. Contact us and start building a career with real impact!