Ottawa, November 29 - Social entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing sector. According to the Government of Canada, social enterprises are rising across the country. This branch of entrepreneurship contributes to economic development while addressing social challenges and causes individuals to face nationwide. Whether profit-seeking or not, social enterprises are mission-driven and continuously strive to maximize their impact in solving a wide range of social problems. Enactus, a nonprofit organization founded in 1975, motivates students across its network to give them the potential to become tomorrow's leaders through social entrepreneurship. Enactus works by establishing its programs in universities, allowing participants to develop innovative projects to meet the demands of their communities. 

At Enactus uOttawa, the message has been heard loud and clear. Since its inception, the organization's mission has remained unchanged: Creating a better world through entrepreneurship. Headed by Fabiha Adiba, the organization is made up of student volunteers who are either members or leaders of innovative projects whose missions align with empowering and helping their community. This is exemplified by one project in particular, Project F.L.Y, whose mission is to empower future leaders in youth. 

Understanding Project F.L.Y.

Project F.L.Y was incepted in 2012 when a need was recognized to create workshops on entrepreneurship and leadership for students graduating from high school. The project's main mission was to empower and prepare young adults with fundamental skills they would need to excel in a professional career. 

To achieve its mission, F.L.Y. focuses on two key elements; the workshops and mentorship opportunities offered to students in a classroom, and Perfect Pitch, an annual competition where local high school students are invited to produce and present business ideas in line with the principles and knowledge acquired in the F.L.Y. workshops. About 15 high schools have partaken in the F.L.Y. workshops, including three in the last month alone. The project partners with the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB), which facilitates contact with other high schools run by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). In addition to the OCDSB, the project collaborates with other Enactus schools across Canada and even abroad to extend its reach. 

The project's success is measured by the number of youth reached each year. This year, the organization aims to connect with and assist 500 young people. The Telfer Business Journal met the project manager in person to find out how he plans to reach this figure.

Get to Know the Project Manager, Mahdi Rahman

Mahdi Rahman is a third-year management student at the Telfer School of Management. Rahman's passion for leadership and dedication to social causes stems from his participation in the Junior Achievement program in his high school, awakening his acumen in business and entrepreneurship. Upon his arrival at the University of Ottawa, Mahdi chose to develop this sense alongside the Enactus team and became F.L.Y. Project Manager in May 2024, commenting that the empowerment part is his main interest. 

Asked about his long-term vision for the project, Mahdi replies: Make it much bigger. By this he means going beyond the local area by expanding F.L.Y's services to several locations and even to other countries, as was the case in France last year, making it the driving reason for students to come to entrepreneurship. 

Rahman's taking the necessary steps to make them come true. These measures can be broken down into three specific objectives: 

• Establish new partnerships and consolidate the one concluded with the OCSB
• Obtain new sponsorships for Perfect Pitch 
• Extend the cost of Perfect Pitch

These objectives have succeeded, as they have already reached three schools in three provinces.

Despite the successes for F.L.Y, Mahdi anticipates a few challenges, including a potential logistical problem for partnerships that might arise from expansion across the country. Rahman has faith in his team and Enactus in general, stating that it is not a problem for their combined efforts.

The project manager also contributed by sharing a memorable anecdote from a recent workshop. Mahdi described the satisfaction he felt earlier this month while conducting a workshop at St. Mark's School as part of a course on social entrepreneurship. He noticed that the students were engaged with the material and actively tried to apply it, exemplifying the sense of fulfillment he gained in his role as project leader.

Project F.L.Y. aims to empower students by teaching them essential life skills and allowing them to practice these skills during Perfect Pitch. Mahdi looks forward to seeing any potential readers on February 28 for the 2025 edition of the conference. Whether you're a participant, volunteer, judge or spectator, project F.L.Y will be delighted to share its mission, working together to make a meaningful impact on young people.

Works Cited:

Enactus Canada. (n.d.). Who we are. Our Mission - Enactus Canada

Government of Canada (2024). Social enterprises in Canada. Social enterprises in Canada

Project F.L.Y (n.d). Home. Project F.L.Y.