Social Entrepreneurship for Poverty Eradication in Light of SDG 1

Abstract

The persistence of global poverty remains one of the most critical challenges in achieving sustainable development. Despite advancements in economic growth, over 700 million people continue to live in extreme poverty, especially in regions with limited access to basic services, education, and employment opportunities. This research explores the transformative role of social entrepreneurship as an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable strategy to reduce poverty, with particular reference to Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1): “No Poverty.”

Using a qualitative, secondary-data-driven approach, the study reviews existing literature, case studies, and impact reports to analyze how social enterprises address multidimensional poverty through mission-driven business models. It highlights successful examples like Grameen Bank, BRAC, and Aravind Eye Care, and evaluates their operational strategies, impact metrics, and alignment with SDG targets. The paper also presents a comparative analysis between the Global South and Global North, identifies key barriers to scale, and recommends policy and funding interventions to amplify the impact of social entrepreneurship. The findings affirm that social enterprises are not only viable actors in poverty alleviation but are crucial enablers of systemic change toward equitable development.