In a festive ceremony at the Allerheiligen-Hofkirche in the Munich Residenz, Bavaria’s Minister of Social Affairs, Ulrike Scharf, presented the award to a total of 15 individuals. The official citation for the award specifically highlights Kristina’s pioneering role in social entrepreneurship and her significant contribution to social innovation in Bavaria and beyond.
For nearly two decades, Kristina has been dedicated to empowering people to tackle social challenges through entrepreneurial means. Under her leadership, the Social Entrepreneurship Academy has developed into an internationally recognized platform for education and innovation. Through initiatives such as the Global Entrepreneurship Summer School and the Social Startup Hub Bavaria, she inspires and supports people in taking on responsibility and shaping social change with their ideas.
For Kristina herself, the award is not only a personal recognition but also an important signal for the entire field:
“I am particularly pleased with what the medal says about our field: social entrepreneurship has established itself as an approach to social change. We have achieved this together,” says Kristina Notz.
For us at the SCE, this honor is also a special joy. As co-founders of the Social Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA), we have been closely involved in its development since 2010. Today, with its distinct profile, the SEA is an important part of the SCE and enriches our joint work toward socially impactful entrepreneurship. SCE Executive Director Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer co-founded the SEA and remains actively involved on its board to this day. Our shared conviction is that entrepreneurial thinking and action can make a significant contribution to a sustainable and livable society.
“When we founded the SEA, our vision was to encourage people to tackle social challenges with an entrepreneurial spirit. Kristina has advanced this idea with incredible dedication and foresight and has inspired many people to make a difference themselves. I am very happy for her and that this award also recognizes the importance of social entrepreneurship,” said Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer, Executive Director of the SCE.
We wholeheartedly congratulate Kristina on this special and well-deserved recognition! We look forward to continuing to strengthen social entrepreneurship and drive social change together with her and the entire SEA team.