Affiliation: University of Johannesburg, Department of Social Work and Community Development Abstract This paper seeks to explore and examine different roles that social entrepreneurship, community-based organizations and collaborative networks play in ensuring that communities are resilient and that communities members become change agents in their communities. It is extremely crucial that communities are able to adapt and thrive through these constant environmental, social and economic changes. It was through existing literature and case studies that we were able to identify that Community-based organizations play a very important role in the mobilization of local resources in communities, fostering inclusivity amongst community members and enhancing social capital while social entrepreneurship steps in as a catalyst for innovative solutions that seek to address pressing social issues while promoting economic sustainability. Collaborative networks are equally important because they facilitate knowledge sharing in communities, resource pooling and collective action. This paper also outlines the limitations and challenges that come with social innovation and highlights areas for future research. Through our findings we can agree that social innovation has a huge potential to drive and foster community resilience, especially when it is in sync with the deep understanding of community needs and assets. By harnessing the power of social innovation, communities can therefore develop the capacity to navigate challenges more effectively and build a more sustainable future
Key Words: Collaborative Networks, Community-Based Organizations, Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Resilience
