The social enterprise sector
is growing and there is great deal of policy interest because social enterprises
represent a positive way of achieving social, economic and environmental
goals. However, a number of factors are restricting the successful growth
of the movement, notably under-investment, insufficient access to training
and support, the lack of appropriate quality mechanisms and impact measurement
tools, a poor knowledge base, and the need for a co-ordinated and strong
voice for the sector. Our Partnership is focusing upon two of these areas:
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We are developing and promoting quality and impact tools which are easy to use and which will help social enterprises understand the impacts of their work, and prove their added value to others; |
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We are putting together a package of training and other specialist support to provide the learning and know-how that those working in the sector need to grow their business operations.
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This work is taking place at:
Linkages with the SEU strategy
Much of our work is contributing directly to the three key outcomes the
SEU sets itself in the strategy. Whilst many of our projects are contributing
to multiple aims, they can broadly be placed in the following categories:
Creating an enabling environment
| Creating an enabling environment |
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We are producing a paper looking at the disincentives to employment for people with disabilities (primarily from a social firms perspective), contrasting these with other European countries, and suggesting ways of improving the situation; |
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We are doing work around public authority procurement issues, including learning from transnational partners.
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Making social enterprises better businesses
| Making social enterprises better businesses |
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We have a programme of business support/advisor training, including modules on finance and governance;
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We are (in conjunction with our transnational partners) setting up a European exchange to allow social enterprises to visit and learn from one another; |
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We are creating an online national register of consultants active in the field of social enterprise
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Establish the value of social enterprise
| SEP Board Meetings |
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We are running a programme to help social enterprises measure, prove and improve their quality and impact. This will ultimately be through a toolkit including social audit, performance indicators, health checks and a variety of other methods. |
