An Integrated sustainable model for social enterprises in post-conflict societies: a proposed model for teacher training in Sri Lanka

This paper explores the future direction of Partners in Micro-Development Inc. (PIMD) a small volunteer based non-profit organization (NPO) focused on developing the social, economic, and human capital of underserved communities in Sri Lanka. The end of the twenty-five year conflict in Sri Lanka in 2009 which left the area of PIMD‟s operation in the north and east of the country in devastation and suspension of the program in 2007-2009, has required a complete re-think of the organization’s response and strategy to meet the needs of the people in this area. PIMD currently offers teacher training programs in English as a Second Language (ESL) and computer literacy for primary grade teachers in rural schools. However issues of sustainability, funding, technology and changing Government policies within a post-conflict context are driving the need to re-evaluate the efficacy of the current business model and develop a new strategy based on an entrepreneurship based collaborative business and supporting operating model. This paper researches and analyses the key issues and challenges that confront PIMD in particular financial sustainability and leveraging of technology to help it address the digital and knowledge divide in the rural sector in Sri Lanka. A review of the literature on relevant theories on the economics of NPOs, social entrepreneurship, and NPO sustainability directs the formulation of an integrated theoretical foundation for a practitioner’s solution for financial sustainability for PIMD‟s encapsulated in a social enterprise business model. The feasibility of this model is explored in this paper in terms of the architecture, mission, value chain, stakeholders' value proposition, the market, products service offerings, and a marketing strategy.