MapuCase is a recently founded social enterprise that combines both economic and human rights missions.
This social enterprise supports Mapuche artists, an indigenous community of Southern Chile, to design their own smart phone case and sell them in Europe.

What makes this organisation a social enterprise?

MapuCase has two missions linked to improving the life and wellbeing of the Mapuche community in Chile.
The Mapuche are a 1 million strong community in the forest and lake regions of Chile. Their way of life and wellbeing have been heavily distorted by the local and national government’s actions, as well as Trans-National Companies. For example, the lands they inhabit are expropriated for the benefit of large paper and pulp manufacturers, or they are flooded for the creation of large scale dams. At an entrepreneurial level, the Mapuche do not gain access to the central government’s start-up accelerator funds due to conflicting notions of business planning and models.

As a result, MapuCase makes the case for a different perception of the Mapuche through protective phone cases. There are more phones than people right now in the world. Most smartphone users use a decorative and protective case. Whether you are at work, home, traveling or outdoors, you can see hundreds of different phone cases. Therefore, phone cases are an ideal way of circulating Mapuche’s culture. MapuCase aims to increase the recognition of their culture and the rights they claim. That is MapuCase’s first and cultural mission.

Secondly, the income generated would return to the Mapuche Artist. Although this is a small amount, it helps the artist gain an income through his passion, come into contact with another continent, and reduce her or his economic dependence. This is MapuCase’s second and economic mission.

“Listen: You need to listen to your company’s stakeholders (anyone who is affected by or can have an effect on your company’s activities). Ultimately, they are the people who will buy from you, so you need to have comprehensive understanding of their needs. This will help you in shaping your product/service, the prices, or the functions of it. So be open to advise!

Ask for support. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Starting up an enterprise ironically requires great interpersonal skills. Support can come from a mentor, a person not necessarily linked to your business activity, but who asks the right questions for you to consider.

Don’t give up on the social mission. In my opinion, business’ social mission has to be integral to its activities. A business has more impact on the society and environment around them than individuals and governments have. This means it has a lot of room to do positive things. Many young people have a social idea or problem they want to resolve but think they cannot do anything about it. That’s wrong. I am a young Belgian living in London, UK, but I am still trying to help out a community in Chile.”