Abstract

Social enterprises in Turkey have been increasing in number since their establishment in 2015. Various support programs and competitions are organized to encourage social entrepreneurship in Turkey. The study investigates the competitions held in Turkey between 2015 and 2022, specifically, the impact of design in social entrepreneurship competitions in Turkey, competitions organized by universities, public institutions, foundations/associations, and international support organizations. The literature shows that the awarded projects in the social entrepreneurship competitions are generally concentrated in areas such as environmental sustainability, support for disadvantaged groups, and local production. These projects show that design is used for empowerment, awareness raising, participatory practices, and local to global value creation. The essential findings of the study illumine possible ways in which design can be used in social entrepreneurship and can serve as a guide to future social enterprise projects. As a result, the critical role of design in supporting social entrepreneurship is highlighted, and a valuable perspective on the impact of design in social entrepreneurship competitions in Turkey is provided.