A Social Enterprise is a business trading primarily to achieve social or environmental objectives. It is often owned and run co-operatively, usually by a board of directors (voluntary), a management committee and sometimes via a board of trustees.

Membership is usually open to anyone meeting simple eligibility criteria and members are able to play a full and active part in the direction and management of the enterprise.

 

This is not a new concept and has been established for more than 160 years.  Social and co-operative enterprises can take a variety of different forms including:  co-operatives, community and social businesses, housing associations, fair trading organisations, credit unions and trading arms of charities.

- providing a means for individuals and communities to improve their local neighbourhoods.

- developing the skills and talents of local people.

- bringing excluded groups into the labour market.

- creating wealth and jobs.

- delivering value for money services.

- promoting active citizenship.

- creating new forms of enterprise that are sustainable financially, socially and environmentally.

 

Social and Co-operative Enterprise can be an effective means of delivering activities without over dependence on grant funding.

 

Social and Co-operative Enterprise can efficiently provide services AND benefit the local community.

 

Social and Co-operative Enterprise leads the way in ethical investment, corporate social responsibility and fair trade and offers possible succession strategies. 

Social Enterprises are driven often by passion and true belief in their social or environmental aim and impact and they lead the way in ethical investment, corporate social responsibility and fair trade.