In an era defined by the imperative to balance profitability with sustainability, the Social Impact Manager (SIM) Programme will be an inspiring learning experience for leaders in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community engagement. Developed through the collaboration of leading European universities and vocational education providers under the guidance of the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Rijeka (EFRI), this Erasmus+ initiative introduces an innovative curriculum designed to equip professionals with the skills to drive transformative social and economic change.
The SIM programme addresses the evolving role of businesses in society. It envisions a new breed of managers who integrate sustainability into their corporate strategies while developing meaningful connections with local communities. By aligning business objectives with social impact, the SIM programme aims to create leaders who can navigate the complexities of today’s socio-economic environment.
The SIM programme is being built around five core modules, each developed by expert partners with contributions from associate collaborators:
- Corporate Governance and Strategy: Exploring the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategies, this module focuses on ethics, organisational culture, and the alignment of internal processes with sustainability goals.
- Territorial Analysis: This will train participants to analyse local ecosystems, identify social needs, and explore opportunities for partnerships with local stakeholders to promote territorial development.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Focused on building and maintaining positive relationships, this module covers communication strategies, stakeholder management tools, and the evaluation of engagement efforts.
- Project Management: Participants gain expertise in planning, executing, and monitoring projects, with a special focus on the unique challenges of managing social impact initiatives.
- Impact Assessment and Reporting: From impact theory to monetisation methodologies such as Social Return on Investment (SROI), this module equips learners to measure and communicate their contributions to sustainability.
Once created, the programme will be piloted as a Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) across five countries—Italy, Austria, Greece, Croatia, and France and tailored to participants ranging from university students to experienced SME owners. The curriculum will include lectures, case studies, and interactive projects designed to address real-world challenges.
The SIM programme adopts a learner-centred, outcomes-based approach, combining theory with practice. If offers hackathons to bring participants together to co-create innovative community engagement solutions. Real-world collaborations where learners partner with local businesses to develop initiatives that address regional challenges. Participants will present final projects detailing comprehensive solutions to social and environmental issues, receiving feedback and guidance from mentors.
By completing the SIM programme, participants will master skills in governance, territorial analysis, and stakeholder engagement. They will also be adept at applying project management principles to community-driven initiatives and assessing the socio-economic impacts of their actions. Most importantly, they will develop the ability to bridge the gap between business goals and community needs, fostering a culture of sustainability and ethical responsibility. By training a generation of Social Impact Managers, this initiative contributes to building resilient, inclusive communities and businesses that thrive by making a difference. With its official rollout in spring 2025, the SIM programme is set to redefine the standards for leadership in CSR and sustainability.
