Social Franchising Support Project
Social replication is a relatively new concept and little support exists for those wishing to grow their social enterprises in this way.
Social Enterprise UK is delivering a programme of work that will support social enterprises wishing to replicate what they do.
As part of the programme Social Enterprise UK will develop a comprehensive suite of support tools and resources for social franchisors, franchisees and social enterprise business advisors.
Social franchising training and workshops
Teaming up with the School for Social Entrepreneurs, we've just finished delivering three practical workshops on Social Franchising in Liverpool, Suffolk, and London. Participants heard from experts in social franchising, those who have been through the journey themselves, and had the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs also looking at growing their business through replication.
Here's what some of the participants had to say about the Social Franchising Workshops:
"Gained a more in depth understanding of social franchising, especially comparisons with commercial franchising. Enjoyed getting practical experience that can translate into opportunities..."
"Great delivery, advice and use of real life case studies. Very relevant."
"Real, authentic, clear, insightful. Loved it."
Social franchising for youth organisations
Under Catalyst, Social Enterprise UK is delivering a Replication in Action programme, which aims to work with youth organisations over a period of nine months to develop their business model so that it can be successfully franchised or licensed.
The programme will include a series of workshops, masterclasses and expert coaching sessions starting in March 2012 and will support youth organisations to:
- Make an informed assessment as to whether or not franchising/licensing is the most appropriate model for growing their organisations, and if this is the case; and
- Develop a pilot franchise or licence package.
Social Enterprise UK has also produced a practical manual for youth organisations looking to grow and strengthen their impact through social franchising. This how-to guide provides a general introduction to replication, and explains how to decide on a suitable approach for your organisation, as well as taking readers through the practical steps required for putting replication into action.
Social franchising guides, research and resources
A how-to guide provides a general introduction to social franchising, and practical advice on how to franchise a social enterprise. Primarily for franchisors who want to replicate their business model, but offers a general introduction for anyone interested in the subject, outlining the ten steps to social franchising and providing social enterprises with practical tools to make it easier for them to assess whether, when and how to replicate. These include a simple readiness tool, a template franchise agreement and advice on how to set franchise fees.
Social Franchising: A guide for Franchisees
Provides a general introduction to social franchising from the perspective of the franchisee. It gives practical advice on how to decided if franchising is the right choice, selecting a franchise and building a successful franchise relationship. This guide is intended as an accompanying piece to the Social Franchising Manual - although this guide can be read as a standalone guide, it is recommended that it is read alongside the manual.
Growing Social Enterprise: research into social replication
In 2011, Social Enterprise UK conducted research to answer the question: how can social enterprises successfully replicate their organisations? The resulting report examines the various replication journeys open to social enterprises. By exploring real-life examples of replication, 'Growing Social Enterprise' seeks to shed light on the critical obstacles and success factors, and assess the value of each replication model for different forms of social enterprise.
Read the stories of two social enterprises that are replicating:
Big Lottery BASIS programme - Investing in Social Enterprise Expansion
The project is funded by the Big Lottery's BASIS programme funds projects across England to improve access to infrastructure support in the third sector. Social Enterprise UK and five support organisations have been awarded funding to run Investing in Social Enterprise Expansion (I-SEE).
The I-SEE delivery partners are Coin Street Community Builders; the Plunkett Foundation, REalliance CIC, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprise East of England. Social Enterprise UK is responsible for coordinating the partnership and disseminating progress and achievements as well as delivering two projects - Leadership Development and Social Franchising Support Project.
The other I-SEE projects
- Expansion of the School for Social Entrepreneurs managed by the School for Social Entrepreneurs aims to scale-up the School's proven model for developing social entrepreneurs and their organisations.
- Strengthening Social Enterprise Retail Skills in Rural Areas managed by the Plunkett Foundation aims to strengthen new and existing rural retail social enterprises.
- Third Sector Consortia Development Project managed by REalliance CIC aims to enable social enterprises working in the community resource and recycling field to secure public sector contracts through the formation of successful consortiums.
- Redevelopment of the Social Enterprise Training and Support (SETAS) website.
- Roll-out of Micro Coaches managed by Social Enterprise East of England - aims to develop Micro Coaches, a tested and structured programme of peer-to-peer business skills transfer.
For more information about any element of the social franchising support project, please contact craig.carey@socialenterprise.org.uk
Click here to find out more about the Big Lottery's BASIS programme
