GCSEN Ireland CEO Mike Caslin Inspires Educators at European Union-Funded Social Intrapreneurship Project
by John Coughlan
Dublin, Ireland – October 2024 – GCSEN Ireland recently participated in an impactful event that brought together educators and management professionals from the nonprofit sector across Ireland, Spain, and Poland. The gathering was part of a European Union-funded project aimed at fostering Social Intrapreneurship, an innovative approach to social change within established organizations.
CEO Mike Caslin took centre stage, delivering a compelling keynote address that underscored the vital role of social intrapreneurs in driving positive change within communities. His insights focused on the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact, highlighting how educators and nonprofit leaders can leverage their unique positions to foster sustainable solutions to pressing social issues.
In his address, Caslin discussed the critical distinction between jobholders and business owners, emphasizing that true social intrapreneurs embody an ownership mentality. “It’s about taking initiative and seeing opportunities for change within your organization,” he stated. “When individuals act like owners, they unlock their potential to innovate and drive social progress.”
He also introduced the concept of the GCSEN 4P Social Entrepreneur framework—People, Planet, Profit, and Place—encouraging attendees to consider all dimensions of impact in their initiatives. “To be a successful social intrapreneur, one must balance the needs of people, respect the planet, ensure financial viability, and contribute positively to the local community,” Caslin explained. “This holistic approach is essential for creating sustainable change.”
The event provided a platform for participants to share best practices, explore innovative ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that can make a lasting impact. Attendees engaged in dynamic discussions, emphasizing the importance of cross-border collaboration in advancing social innovation across Europe.
Rafael Diaz from Spain reflected on the transformative power of Caslin’s message, stating, “Mike’s insights on the importance of adopting an ownership mentality within organizations resonated deeply with me. His approach makes it clear that social intrapreneurship is not just about creating change—it’s about taking responsibility for that change. I’m excited to go back to my work with a renewed sense of agency.”
Malgorzata Wenclik from Poland was equally inspired by Caslin’s 4P framework. “Mike’s introduction of the 4P Social Entrepreneur model was eye-opening. I’ve always believed in balancing social impact with financial sustainability, but seeing it framed in such a structured way makes it so much clearer. The holistic approach he presented will guide the way I move forward with my initiatives.”
Elisabeth Asimas from Spain shared her thoughts on how Caslin’s ideas will influence her future work: “Mike’s message about seeing opportunities for change within our own organizations was a powerful takeaway. It’s easy to feel like we need to create something entirely new to make an impact, but his talk reminded me that we can innovate from within. I feel more empowered to challenge the status quo and implement new ideas in my organization now.”
GCSEN Ireland is proud to contribute to this vital conversation, reinforcing its commitment to supporting social entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship as catalysts for change. The organization looks forward to continued collaboration with partners across Ireland and the whole European continent to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of social intrapreneurs.
For more information about GCSEN Ireland and its initiatives, please visit gcsen.org or contact us at mike@gcsen.com.
Organisations Involved:
Project Funded by the European Union Erasmus Plus programme:
