Introduction

The introduction outlines the conceptual foundations of the book, which focuses on the empowerment of marginalized people by activating their economic capabilities. It presents the theoretical lenses that guide the work – the Capability Approach and Empowerment Theory – and explains the key concepts at the center of the proposal: Agency, dignity, enabling spaces, and hybrid organizations. The introduction also anticipates the central role of Social Business Hybrids in fostering empowerment through mechanisms of access and creation. Finally, it presents the structure of the book, which combines theoretical reflection with case-based analysis through the Empowering Social Business Hybrids matrix.