Guest Lecture on Social Entrepreneurship by Dr Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany) as Part of the Joint Project “Chemnitz–Lviv Learning Bridge 2025”

On April 29, 2025, Doctor Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel from Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany), invited by Acting Head and Professor Marianna Kichurchak of the Department of Economy of Ukraine, delivered an online lecture titled “Social Entrepreneurship” for the first-year students of the “Business Economics” programme (10:10 AM – 11:30 AM) at the Faculty of Economics, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. These students are currently enrolled in the course “Economy of Ukraine”.

The event was also organized for PhD students of all academic years enrolled in the educational and research doctoral programme 051 “Economics” with the aim of broadening their academic outlook, familiarizing them with international approaches to teaching economic courses, and providing an interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary economic processes.

The lecture was held within the framework of the joint initiative “Chemnitz–Lviv Learning Bridge 2025”, a collaborative project between Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Chemnitz University of Technology. The project is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through the programme “Ukraine Digital: Ensuring Academic Success in Times of Crisis”.

During the lecture, students gained valuable insights into the essence of social entrepreneurship, including the Canva business model, key actors, and distinctions between social and traditional entrepreneurial activities. Doctor Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel also shared her hand-on experiences in social entrepreneurship projects in Chemnitz and South Africa, particularly in addressing community development challenges.
Postgraduate students of the educational and research doctoral programme 051 “Economics” actively participated in the discussion on the challenges and prospects of social entrepreneurship development in Germany and Ukraine. In particular, third-year doctoral student Nadiia Mishchur expressed interest in the specific features of social entrepreneurship in the European Union and shared her own experience of involvement in related initiatives in Ukraine.

Doctor Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel has kindly provided her lecture presentation for use on the LNU digital e-learning platform. The lecture materials will be integrated into the “Economy of Ukraine” course to support the development of students’ competencies in understanding how entrepreneurs can driver social change.

Moreover, the guest lecture showcased effective teaching approaches in the field of economics for PhD students from the educational and research doctoral programme 051 “Economics”, particularly the use of practical examples, building communication with the audience, and integrating research findings into the content of academic courses.