Social entrepreneurship in Malta : an innovative water conservation project

Abstract

The interest in the role of social entrepreneurs in tackling climate change is on the rise as an increasing number of social missions arise around the globe. To fully understand the role of these missions and their founders, it is necessary to observe them carefully. For the purpose of this study, the research focused on a practical example: AguaGente, in Malta. AguaGente is an innovative water conservation device designed by the author for the Maltese islands. A feasibility study on AguaGente formed the base for this research. Parallel to the feasibility study, the research aimed to uncover some of the challenges social entrepreneurs face when operating in Malta. The study featured a mixed methods approach, comprised of an online survey and semi-structured interviews, to fully explore the feasibility of AguaGente and the challenges social entrepreneurs face in Malta. The approach aided in uncovering several challenges for social entrepreneurs which also affected the feasibility study. The research concluded that AguaGente is a feasible water conservation device and found three major challenges: 1) monetary value is the main driver in sustainable choices, 2) there is a need for more awareness regarding environmental issues, and 3) government holds a decisive role. These challenges proved to have both a direct and indirect impact on the efforts of social entrepreneurs in Malta and contribute to the understanding of local social entrepreneurship. This study found that the main challenges are not unlikely country specific and that they divert from key findings in social entrepreneurial theories. Thus, AguaGente contributed to the application of social entrepreneurship in the Maltese context.