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| Dear Friends of REDpreneur,
Welcome to the fourth edition of The Changemaker Chronicles. Since our last newsletter, much has happened, and the first half of 2026 has been full of momentum. If you missed our previous edition, where we celebrated REDpreneur's 5-Year Anniversary and the launch of the Impact Report 2020-2025, among other major milestones, you can read it here.
In this edition, we look back on a busy and inspiring start to the year. You will find the results of the external evaluation of our REDpreneur 2.0 program, highlights from our annual team meeting at the Humanitarian Innovation Lab (HIL), and a recap of the events we took part in, from Paris to Budapest and from the Impact Days to the INSIDEOUT Summit, with a special musical afternoon spent with a Eurovision Song Contest artist along the way. We also share the latest from REDpreneur in Ukraine, where social enterprises and entrepreneurs continue to build recovery and resilience, including the close of our REDpreneur Women program and the knowledge we are capturing to share what we have learned.
For new readers, we begin with a short introduction to who we are and what we do. Be sure to read to the end, where we have a musical surprise for you!
We wish you a pleasant read! |
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The REDpreneur Program
For the New Readers, What is REDpreneur?
REDpreneur is the global initiative of the Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) that strengthens the resilience of Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) National Societies (NSs), local enterprises and vulnerable communities. This is done by providing business skills and enterprise development support for more impact, innovation and sustainable service delivery. We provide trainings, mentoring and networking in hybrid formats. Moreover, we empower staff and volunteers from RCRC NSs, local civil society organizations (CSOs) and entrepreneurs to address the five Global Challenges outlined in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) Strategy 2030: climate and environmental crisis, evolving crisis and disasters, growing gaps in health and well-being, migration and identity, and values, power and inclusion. For a clear overview of who we are and what we do, take a look at our REDpreneur One-Pager, and for more inspiration take a look at our Venture Alumni.
Our Home, the Humanitarian Innovation Lab (HIL)
In January 2025, REDpreneur relocated to its new homebase: the HIL of the AutRC. As a dynamic, shared space dedicated to fostering humanitarian innovation within the RCRC Network, the HIL bridges our longstanding virtual creative space with an inspiring physical environment. It is where our hybrid community comes together, from InspiRED Sessions with guest speakers and peer exchange, to broader community events connecting changemakers across our network.
Looking back at our first year in this space, we can proudly say we made the most of it. Since our relocation in January, we have hosted a Housewarming Party in February, our Team Retreat in March, our Master Class in April, our collaboration with the Fachhochschule Oberösterreich in May, the culmination session of our Master Class in June, the Kick-Off of our new Community Offer in July, our first InspiRED Session in September, the recording of our own song in October, our 5-Year Anniversary in November, our Team End-of-Year Retreat, and countless meetings and workshops in between. This space has quickly become part of how we work and why our work is impactful.
In 2026, the list has only grown. In January, we had the honor of participating in the visit of the IFRC President Jagan Chapagain, who visited the Headquarters of the AutRC, an event organized by our management. In February, we hosted a hybrid Town Hall for our Alumni and a New Year's reception for our longstanding partners. In March, we worked on developing an Avatar for the HIL (more on that soon). In April, the full REDpreneur team gathered at the HIL for our yearly retreat, then reconvened for the presentation of the REDpreneur 2.0 program evaluation. May brought two special visits: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric, again organized by AutRC Headquarters, and our most glamorous guest yet, Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest candidate Jonas Lovv (more below). In June, we wrapped up the first half of the year with an evening gathering of our colleagues from the International Cooperation, hosted by REDpreneur, and a final Town Hall to wish our Alumni a wonderful summer. |
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| Dive Deeper, the Impact Report 2020-2025
If you want to revisit the full story of REDpreneur, our Impact Report 2020-2025 is the place to find it. It brings together key milestones, impact data and insights from National Societies and Ventures across 39 countries, with a focus on humanitarian entrepreneurship, financial sustainability and systemic change. It is also where you will meet some of the remarkable Ventures we have supported. Find the full report here.
This journey has only just begun, and we are glad to have you along for it. |
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REDpreneur Evaluation
In the framework of the REDpreneur 2.0 project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), supported by ERSTE Foundation and further RCRC NSs, a comprehensive external evaluation took place involving funders, partners, AutRC staff, REDpreneur alumni and supporters. In April this year, the evaluation team presented their main results, including findings and recommendations for the further development of REDpreneur. We are glad to share these outcomes with you below.
Across three training cycles, REDpreneur 2.0 reached more than 200 participants from 39 countries, supported 143 graduates and incubated 39 Venture cases across 22 ODA countries. The evaluation, structured around the OECD-DAC criteria of relevance, effectiveness and sustainability, found that the program produced a measurable and replicable shift in mindset, skills and Ventures. The most strongly evidenced outcome was the shift in mindset, with 80% of respondents reporting that the program changed how they view charging for humanitarian services, and donor dependency is now widely recognized as unsustainable. Participants reported skills gains of around 75% across pitching, business planning and financial modelling, and every program component was rated 4.3 out of 5 or higher, with the coaches and the integrated lecture and mentorship model standing out as the signature strength. The parallel REDpreneur model in Ukraine, the RED HUB in Kyiv, integrated seed grants and follow-up mentoring as well as coaching, proved more effective than the standard global format and now serves as a tested template for future regional contexts.
The evaluation was equally clear about what scaling will require. Capacity-building alone did not consistently lead to Venture launches, as Ventures with access to seed capital moved from plan to operation within months while many of those without it stalled after graduation. It was identified that the next phase should build on three additions, namely integrated access to funding, stronger institutional engagement and formalized localization, alongside deliberate links to local enterprise ecosystems.
The full evaluation, including the complete findings, conclusions and 16 recommendations, can be downloaded here or by clicking the image below.
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Annual Team Meeting
On April 14-15, 2026, the REDpreneur team came together at the HIL of the AutRC for the annual planning meeting. Over two days, we looked back on a remarkable year, took stock of where REDpreneur stands today, and shaped the direction for 2026 and beyond.
The first day was dedicated to reflection and inspiration. We celebrated the team's achievements of the past year, from the publication of the Impact Report 2020-2025 and the launch of the community platform to the opening of the RED HUB in Ukraine, our move into the HIL and the 5-Year Anniversary. We then turned to our main learnings so far and to the results of the REDpreneur 2.0 evaluation, and it was striking to see how closely the team's own reflections aligned with the evaluation's findings.
A particular highlight was welcoming Lotte Kristoferitsch from EOOS Social Design and Rainer Schultheis from Saphenus Medical Technology to an inspiration session for potential collaborations. Lotte and Rainer joined us in person to present their work and explore how design and innovation can strengthen humanitarian services together with the RCRC. Lotte, who readers may remember from a previous edition, leads EOOS Social Design, which develops low-complexity, open-source sanitation solutions that improve hygiene conditions and enable nutrient recovery while keeping the everyday experience of using a toilet intact. Rainer presented Saphenus, an Austrian company working on affordable neuro-prosthetics. Their Suralis technology is a rehabilitation add-on that uses a sensor sock to send wireless, real-time signals to the brain, drastically reducing phantom pain and allowing for a more natural and upright gait. With millions of people worldwide in need of safe sanitation and accessible prosthetic care, both companies opened our eyes to how the RCRC can serve as a trusted local partner that extends the reach of these solutions, especially in remote areas. The presentations sparked lively question-and-answer sessions and underlined why business partnerships should become a stronger and more structured element of REDpreneur in the next phase.
The second day looked further ahead. In a creative visioning exercise, the team imagined where REDpreneur could be in five years and then translated those ideas into realistic milestones and next steps. We discussed our portfolio, the funding landscape, new partnership opportunities and agreed on a shared direction for the next phase. Looking ahead, REDpreneur will continue to evolve from a successful training program into a more structured, scalable, and localized model, exploring formalization, stronger partnerships, and innovative financing in the years to come.
We left the two days energized, with a strong sense of shared vision and team spirit, and we are excited about what comes next. |
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REDpreneur at Events
National Society Development Advisory Group (NSDAG) Meeting in Paris
This year's NSDAG Meeting was hosted by the French Red Cross and took place in Paris from 24 to 26 March 2026. Representatives from the IFRC, the ICRC and thirteen National Societies came together to discuss priorities, challenges and opportunities for strengthening National Society Development (NSD) across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The meeting provided a valuable platform for peer exchange, knowledge sharing and collaboration on organizational development.
REDpreneur was invited to take part in this year's meeting and present its work to the Advisory Group. The presentation sparked an interesting exchange and allowed us to share experiences and perspectives with colleagues from across the Movement.
The visit was further enriched by bilateral meetings with our longstanding partner the French Red Cross, specifically its NSD Department and Innovation Department, allowing for deeper discussions on current initiatives and future collaboration.
The photo below shows an inspiring group of women from across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement who are committed to advancing National Society Development, innovation and entrepreneurship. From left to right: Elin Baranyai-Ulvestad (Team Leader REDpreneur, AutRC), Annette Msabeni (Organisational Transformation Lead, IFRC), Alice Bloomfield (Head of NSD, French Red Cross), Marie Alice Manderscheid (International Innovation, French Red Cross), Pauline Blanc-Patin (Director Innovation, French Red Cross). |
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| REDpreneur in Budapest
In June we had the pleasure of attending this year's closing event of the Marc Impact Programme at the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest.
Marc is a high-impact enterprise scaling program, a joint initiative of ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit Partner and SIMPACT.
This was a great opportunity for the REDpreneur and Corporate Partnerships Teams of the AutRC to connect with actors dedicated to building a better world through innovation and purpose, and to listen to inspiring speakers and keynotes.
We would like to congratulate the Marc Impact Programme for another cohort fostering exceptional environmental and social impact-driven entrepreneurs, who are focusing on scaling their reach and taking their businesses to the next level.
It was also a pleasure to meet our colleagues from the Czech Red Cross, who pitched their idea for a replicable and scalable Red Cross service, "The Red Click." The Red Cross emergency call service provides quick assistance for people who may need support in an emergency. By pressing the red emergency button on a small device worn on the wrist, users can immediately call for help whenever it is needed.
We also took the opportunity to visit the Europe Zone Office of the IFRC in Budapest, where we had insightful discussions on NSD and REDpreneur. Many thanks for the warm welcome and the inspiring exchange!
As the REDpreneur initiative fosters collaboration, mutual learning and the identification of synergies, it was a very inspiring and insightful visit. |
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| REDpreneur x Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)
Just ahead of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8, the AutRC opened its doors to a special gathering. Under the motto "United by Music and Humanity," the AutRC, together with the Norwegian Embassy in Vienna, welcomed Norwegian ESC artist Jonas Lovv and his delegation, along with guests from the humanitarian, diplomatic, cultural and media sectors, to the HIL for a musical afternoon. The event featured musical accompaniment by the band Freddie's Finest and the opera singer Hege Gustava.
The timing was no coincidence. With ESC preparations in full swing across the city, the afternoon was also a moment to acknowledge the many people who work behind the scenes to make large international events possible and safe. Major events like the ESC highlight the many roles the RCRC plays in society, from humanitarian presence and emergency preparedness to supporting safe, inclusive and well-organized public events. Volunteers and staff of the Wiener Rotes Kreuz helped ensure that the ESC in Vienna, along with its many public viewings and side events, could take place safely and smoothly. Their work perfectly embodies the spirit of music and humanity. |
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| INSIDEOUT Summit 2026 - Where Ecosystems Meet
On May 21, the REDpreneur team joined the INSIDEOUT Summit 2026, this year not only as attendees, but as partners. We hosted a new format at the summit: a series of roundtable discussions under the theme "Where Ecosystems Meet". Participants from start-ups, corporates, funding organizations and the social sector sat down together to talk about what cross-sector collaboration actually looks and feels like in practice. Ten tables, one hundred participants and a lot of discussions.
Here is what we took away from the roundtables.
- Across almost every table, trust came up as the deciding factor in whether collaboration works or falls apart. Yet, trust is not something that simply exists between organizations; it has to be built deliberately, often before the actual work begins.
- One of the most consistent themes across tables was the gap in communication between professional languages. Funders, start-ups, NGOs and corporates often use the same words to mean different things, or different words for the same thing. Before a collaboration can move forward, there is usually an invisible translation process that needs to happen.
- Several groups noted that current planning and partnership processes tend to skip the creative phase. There is often pressure to move quickly to implementation, which means the dreaming and visioning that makes a collaboration stand out gets cut short.
- When participants were asked what humanitarian innovation means to them, the answers varied widely. For some, it meant using technology to address urgent human needs in crisis situations. For others, it meant incremental improvements in the lives of vulnerable communities that rarely attract investment because they do not look dramatic enough on paper.
- A recurring concern was that humanitarian needs tend to be identified too late in development processes, added later as a consideration rather than built in from the start. Moreover, solutions developed outside a community often miss what that community actually needs. Local ownership, real involvement of the people affected and humility about what external actors can and cannot know came up as essential, not optional.
- Different organizational logics create friction that good intentions alone cannot resolve. Several groups noted power imbalances between partners as something that is rarely addressed directly yet shapes the collaboration. Rigid hierarchies, slow legal and governance structures as well as a tendency to stay within familiar professional boundaries all came up as obstacles that need to be addressed rather than avoided.
What stayed with us most from the day was not a single answer but a shared orientation in the room: more cohesion over fragmentation, more purpose over ego, more human-centered thinking over profit-first approaches.
Thank you to everyone who joined the discussions, made contributions and helped create the kind of atmosphere where honest conversation feels possible. A particular thank you to our colleagues and moderators who facilitated the session.
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REDpreneur in Ukraine
Over the past two and a half years, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) branches across the country have built new skills, expanded community services, created jobs and generated sustainable sources of income. From veteran-led businesses and women entrepreneurs to branch-operated social enterprises, the more than 165 initiatives and over 200 program alumni supported through REDpreneur Ukraine demonstrate how entrepreneurship can strengthen recovery, community resilience and long-term economic opportunities, even in the context of ongoing conflict.
These achievements were made possible through the support of NACHBAR IN NOT, the French Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross, as well as the valuable contributions of partners including School of ME, tech2Impact and Ukrainian Future.
One of the most inspiring outcomes of REDpreneur has been the emergence of social enterprises within URCS branches. What started with a dozen pioneering branches has grown into a movement that helps branches generate their own income, respond to local needs and build a more sustainable future. Alongside strengthening branch sustainability, the initiative has also contributed to broader organizational development by encouraging innovation, improving internal support systems and building new capacities within the URCS.
Strengthening Local Social Enterprises
Since 2024, 15 branches have established income-generating activities ranging from social laundries and sewing workshops to co-working spaces, inclusive transport services and other community-based businesses.
At the beginning of 2026, the project team visited several of these initiatives to learn directly from branch teams, identify good practices and understand what support is needed for long-term sustainability. Based on the findings, several enterprises received additional support from the Canadian Red Cross to help expand their services and increase their impact on local communities. |
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| While social enterprises are helping branches become more sustainable and better serve their communities, entrepreneurship support has also enabled hundreds of individuals across Ukraine to transform ideas into promising social businesses.
Meet the Entrepreneurs
In recent months, the project team travelled across Ukraine to meet nine entrepreneurs who had received training and financial support through the program. Thanks to the additional contribution of the Spanish Red Cross, seed funding could be provided to even more aspiring entrepreneurs. From food production and tourism to education, manufacturing and inclusive services, each visit revealed a unique story of determination, creativity and hard work.
One particularly inspiring example is Mandry in Ukraine, a veteran-led social enterprise offering campervan rentals and accessible travel experiences. More than just a business, it creates jobs for veterans and people with disabilities while promoting recovery, inclusion and domestic tourism across Ukraine.
Watch the video report from the monitoring visit and discover the story behind Mandry in Ukraine here or below. |
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| REDpreneur Women: Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship
REDpreneur Women marked another major milestone for our work in Ukraine. This entrepreneurship program supported women across the country to strengthen their economic independence, develop business skills and establish or expand their own businesses. Implemented by the URCS in partnership with the AutRC and supported by the ADA and the NACHBAR IN NOT Foundation, the program came to a successful close in June 2026.
Investing in Women, Strengthening Communities
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| Over two training cycles, more than 50 women entrepreneurs from across Ukraine participated in the REDpreneur Women entrepreneurship training. Of these, 42 participants were selected to receive grants of €7,000 each to further develop their entrepreneurial initiatives. The supported businesses span sectors such as agriculture, education, manufacturing, wellness, hospitality and community services.
Beyond creating new sources of income for their founders, the businesses have generated employment opportunities and contributed to local recovery and resilience. Notably, 100% of supported Ventures incorporated a social or environmental component, contributing to a more socially responsible and inclusive business landscape in Ukraine.
Meet the veteran women entrepreneurs and watch the highlights from their final pitching event here or below. |
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| Beyond Business: Reaching 4,000 Women Across Ukraine
Beyond direct business support, REDpreneur Women reached more than 4,000 women across Ukraine through a series of 22 online Inspiration Sessions hosted by RED HUB. The sessions provided practical knowledge, motivation and networking opportunities, covering topics such as leadership and career growth, personal development, psychological well-being, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, inclusion and social reintegration, as well as business development, marketing, communication and partnership building.
By bringing together experienced entrepreneurs, business experts, and industry leaders, the sessions helped women strengthen both their professional and personal capacities while fostering a supportive community focused on economic empowerment and positive social impact. |
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| Capturing Lessons and Sharing Knowledge
As the project comes to a close, partners, experts and teams have been taking stock of what has been achieved and what can be learned for the future.
Through a series of lessons learned workshops, participants reflected on successful approaches, challenges encountered, and opportunities to further strengthen entrepreneurship support and branch sustainability. These discussions also contributed to the development of several practical knowledge products, including a RED HUB handbook and a comprehensive report documenting the program's results and impact between 2024 and 2026.
A practical guide on how to start a social business is currently under development and will be published later this year.
Explore the REDpreneur Ukraine results and find the Impact Report on our website here or below. |
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Closing Remarks
As we wrap up this edition, we are reminded of how much can grow when people come together with courage, creativity and a shared sense of purpose. The first half of 2026 has shown us that REDpreneur is more than a program. It is a community that keeps building, learning and supporting one another globally.
Before you go, we have one more thing to share. This year we recorded our very own REDpreneur song, "We Just Begun! - REDpreneur", now available on all streaming platforms. And for everyone who could use a little inspiration through the working day, we have also put together a dedicated Spotify playlist for social entrepreneurs, a soundtrack for all the hard workers out there over the summer and beyond, which you can find here.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting the ideas, Ventures and changemakers who carry this work forward every day. To stay connected, we invite you to follow REDpreneur on social media and, if you have not already, subscribe to our newsletter for future updates and opportunities here.
Wishing you a restful and inspiring summer. We will see you in the next edition! |
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Thank You!
REDpreneur is a program facilitated by the Austrian Red Cross.
The REDpreneur Global program is carried out by New Paradigm Ventures, Relevant and Impact Hub Vienna, with funding from the Austrian Development Agency, ERSTE Foundation and Erste Social Finance, supported by Vienna Insurance Group, the Canadian Red Cross, the Netherlands Red Cross, the Spanish Red Cross, the Swiss Red Cross and more.
REDpreneur in Ukraine is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, carried out by tech2impact, School of ME and Ukrainian Future, with funding from NACHBAR IN NOT and the Austrian Development Agency, and in partnership with the French Red Cross. REDpreneur in Ukraine is also supported by the Spanish Red Cross. |
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