Fajer Rabia Pasha
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Module 3 of 6 · Social entrepreneurship

Set up your organisation

Give your purpose a structure, responsibilities and a workable first programme.

A group gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the beginning; building an organisation continues beyond launch day.
Your goal

An organisation roadmap and a simple responsibilities map.

Decide what the organisation must do

List the activities needed to deliver your first programme: community engagement, delivery, finance, safeguarding, communications and learning. Then decide which need a dedicated role and which can initially be combined. Write down who makes decisions and who checks them. Even a small initiative benefits from clarity about money, commitments and responsibility.

Choose a structure that fits the work

Different structures suit different purposes, funding approaches and locations. Before registration, clarify whether your work will mainly deliver services, trade, raise donations or combine activities. Ask a qualified local adviser to explain the available structures, duties and registration requirements. Compare them against your mission and income plan. Do not select a structure simply because another organisation uses it.

Create basic systems early

Prepare a simple budget, an expense approval process and a way to record income and spending. Decide how conflicts of interest will be declared, how complaints can be raised and who handles concerns about participant safety. Establish clear expectations for staff and volunteers. Keep participant information secure and collect only what the programme needs. Good systems let people work confidently and make problems easier to identify.

Design one deliverable programme

Describe who the programme serves, what participants will do, how often it runs and what support it requires. Put costs and responsibilities against each activity. Define what must be ready before launch and what can improve during the pilot. Include a way to hear participant feedback. A programme that works repeatedly is a stronger foundation than a long list of activities that depend entirely on the founder.

Put it into practice

Your working notes

  1. What activities must my organisation perform in its first three months?
  2. Who will deliver, approve spending, oversee quality and handle concerns?
  3. List setup costs, monthly costs and available resources.
  4. What decisions do I need professional advice on before launching?

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Before you move on

Could another team member explain who is responsible for each essential task?