Grameen Danone: a Social Business (with English subtitles)

Summary

The video details the creation of Grameen Danone, a joint venture in Bangladesh focused on producing affordable, nutrient-rich yogurt to combat child malnutrition. Inspired by a chance meeting with the chairman of Danone, the initiative aims to transform lives through a social business model, allowing investors to recoup their costs without profit dividends. The project empowers local women, turning beggars into entrepreneurs by selling yogurt in their communities. This sustainable approach illustrates the potential for social businesses to create lasting change, emphasizing the difference between charity and self-sustaining initiatives that continue to benefit society.

Takeaways

• 🤝 A joint venture named Grameen Danone was created in Bangladesh to produce yogurt.
• 🥛 The yogurt aims to tackle malnutrition among children by providing essential nutrients at low costs.
• 📈 Experts suggest that consuming two cups of this yogurt weekly can restore children's health over time.
• 💼 The business operates as a social business, where investors can recoup their investments but cannot take profits.
• 👩‍🌾 A former beggar is empowered to sell yogurt in her village after receiving a loan, transforming her livelihood.
• 🌍 The model can be replicated across Bangladesh, allowing for expansion and wider community impact.
• 🔄 Social businesses enable funds to recycle and provide ongoing benefits, unlike one-time charity donations.
• 🌱 The initiative demonstrates a sustainable approach to addressing social issues through entrepreneurship.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The project supports local families by providing affordable nutrition and creating job opportunities.
• ✨ The difference between charity and social business lies in the lasting impact and continuous support for communities.

Q & A

What is the joint venture company created in Bangladesh?

The joint venture company created in Bangladesh is called Grameen Danone, established in collaboration with Danone, a food company known for its yogurt and water products.

What was the main purpose of creating Grameen Danone?

The main purpose of creating Grameen Danone was to produce yogurt that addresses malnutrition among children in Bangladesh by incorporating essential nutrients.

How does Grameen Danone aim to make yogurt accessible to the poorest children?

Grameen Danone aims to make yogurt accessible by ensuring it is affordable, allowing even the poorest children to purchase and consume it.

What impact can two cups of this yogurt per week have on malnourished children?

Experts indicate that if a malnourished child consumes two cups of this yogurt per week over a year, they can regain full health.

What is a social business, as explained in the transcript?

A social business is one where investors can recover their initial investment but cannot take any dividends. Profits are reinvested to further the company's social objectives.

How does the concept of social business differ from charity?

Unlike charity, which provides one-time assistance, social business creates a sustainable model where funds are recycled to help more people over time, providing continuous support.

What transformation occurs for individuals involved in the yogurt selling business?

Individuals who were previously beggars can take loans from Grameen Bank to start selling yogurt, allowing them to support themselves and contribute positively to their communities.

What is the potential for expanding the Grameen Danone model across Bangladesh?

If successful in initial clusters of villages, the Grameen Danone model can be replicated throughout Bangladesh, leveraging the established business format for broader impact.

What role does the community play in the success of the yogurt selling program?

The community plays a crucial role as individuals selling yogurt often know local families and can leverage their past experiences to build trust and support in selling the product.

What does the speaker mean by 'the sky is the limit' in the context of social business?

The phrase 'the sky is the limit' suggests that once the social business is established and running, there are limitless opportunities for expansion and reaching more people in need.