Social entrepreneurship and self-management in nom governmental social care: the case of FEJEM as a religiously oriented NGO

Abstract

Social Entrepreneurship (SE) has become an important strategy for collective intervention in the face of existing socioeconomic inequalities in the Brazilian context and the growing role of the third sector in addressing social vulnerabilities. In this context, religiously oriented Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have played a significant role in offering social assistance actions and promoting social well-being. This work aims to analyze the social assistance actions, organizational aspects, and performance of the Jerônimo Mendonça Spiritist Fraternity (Fejem), in Petrolina/PE, within the scope of SE. A case study was conducted with document analysis, simple on-site observation in the second half of 2023 of institutional aspects, consulting of data provided by the Institution and other data collected on their social media, and consulting journalistic articles. As a result, it is found that among various similar national institutions, Fejem carries out relevant social work with different continuous actions, presenting strategies and focus convergent to achieve results and achieving good financial management, action management, and maintenance of core activities. Its organizational aspects and the factors observed with the SWOT Matrix point to its consolidation in Social Entrepreneurship as a third-sector entity. Some positive points contribute to its performance, although weaknesses and threats may bring risks, such as possible impacts on the internal organization and the quality of actions, or the possible interruption of these, in the event of a decrease or lack of financial resources and volunteer work. The study highlights the importance of this religiously oriented NGO as a highly active non-profit institution at the municipal level – despite the challenges and the need for adjustments identified – and as one of the Non-Governmental Social Assistance institution with relevant contribution to the well-being of people in contexts of socioeconomic vulnerability.