Thought Leadership

Every social enterprise faces a dual task of running a business in a competitive environment and addressing the core social or environmental mission at the heart of their operation. To succeed, it is vital that social enterprises are working as efficiently and effectively as possible. However, we need to better understand the challenges facing distinctive social enterprise models if we are to provide relevant support, guidance, and advice, so that they may improve their operational capacity. To build our understanding of this issue, Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) is collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to collect evidence. We will do this through Balance, a performance diagnostic & strategic management toolkit, designed and overseen by MMU, that asks social enterprises – ‘what capabilities do you have?’ Balance provides an opportunity to respond across 7 key areas from stakeholder perspectives, multi-bottom line, internal activities, learning, income diversification, governance and visioning to questions tailored to understanding your organisation's capabilities. It can then identify areas of strength and weakness and offer an appropriate strategy on how to improve – using an Action Plan to support change. You can learn more about Balance here. We will then work with MMU to collate the findings and identify the most common challenges facing social enterprises when it comes to boosting their capacity. This will inform a short report mapping out what can be done to support social enterprises reach their potential. We are asking our members who are interest to participate by completing the Balance toolkit questionnaire. All data collected will be confidentially held by MMU and SEUK, with anonymised findings informing the report. If you would like to complete the Balance toolkit, or hear more about this project, please contact the MMU team at balance@mmu.ac.uk

At the Social Enterprise World Forum in Amsterdam this month, we hosted a fringe event in partnership with our member The Ubele Initiative to explore how community wealth building can be used to empower racially minoritised communities. Community wealth building is an economic development model based on communities having control and ownership of assets. It is designed to challenge traditional neoliberal approaches to areas such as housing and work, which tend to exacerbate rather than reduce inequalities. The team at Ubele are pioneers in the community wealth building space, working to empower Black and minoritised communities in the UK. 55% of Black-owned community assets have insecure futures due to issues with funding, leases or succession planning – so Ubele works to ensure racially minoritised communities are empowered to manage their buildings and spaces. For example, the Gida Housing Co-operative aims to address poor housing outcomes and their impact on health. Ubele described it as “an affordable housing provider that enables people to have ownership and a say in the management of their own homes”, using a model where tenants control the co-operative that owns the homes. Gida is looking to take on 56 homes and has around 100 prospective tenants. Given the links between racial inequality and housing inequality, and the increasing unaffordability of cities like London, initiatives like this are vital. As part of the National Strategic Alliance, Ubele looks at community wealth building in specific communities to better design interventions and support. Ubele is also involved in the shaping and delivery of the Enterprise Development Programme, supporting Black and minority-led organisations to grow their financial resilience and impact via grants and learning. Event attendees also discussed community wealth building in a global context, analysing some of the key barriers to racial equality in the social enterprise and social impact space. Our panel of inspiring speakers included Democracy Collaborative leader Ted Howard, social entrepreneur and politician Joanne Anderson, economist Najah Aouaki and our chair Lord Victor Adebowale. Ted gave us a whistlestop tour of the history of community wealth building, including his own work on the Cleveland model, creating worker owned co-operatives in a predominantly Black city where many people live below the poverty line. He also spoke about the growing impact of co-operatives in India and the pioneering work of Mondragon in the Basque Country, which has helped the region have the greatest wealth equality in the European Union. Ted’s work now focuses on New West Amsterdam, which is home to 20% of the city’s population and most of its migrant communities but only receives around 5% of the city’s procurement spend. Racial inequality in the Netherlands was also the focus of Nadja Aouaki’s contribution to the discussion. She described rising inequality in Amsterdam since 2018, made more evident by Covid, and how it is organised racially. She stressed the importance of “alternative economic paradigms based around municipalism” and acknowledged that “in the Netherlands we still find it hard to talk about race”. Former mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson spoke about how the city’s growth from fishing port to industrial powerhouse was “built on the back of the slave trade” and how racial inequality still permeates the city. Joanne helped set up a pioneering social investment fund through social enterprise community Kindred; 25% of the £6.5 million pot went to Black-owned organisations and the goal is to reach £50 million, always having 25% earmarked to reduce racial inequality. Access to finance was also core to Lord Victor’s contribution, as The Adebowale Commission into social investment found that “Black social entrepreneurs get less funding, and funders are not led by Black people”. He mentioned that things are changing and we have moved into the “shame stage” where organisations are realising there is a problem and starting to act – but he made clear that what now needs to happen is a move “from the shame stage to the power stage” where Black-led social enterprises have truly equal investment opportunities. From Cleveland to Liverpool and Amsterdam to Spain, we heard how community wealth building empowers communities and offers an alternative to the neoliberal approach to economic development, giving communities real ownership over their futures. This fringe event was an energising start to a busy conference schedule, so we hope many others will be inspired by lessons learned and connections made.

For a decade now, the much-anticipated annual event showcasing the social enterprise sector has been Birmingham focused. This year sees it evolve to being the West Midlands Social Economy Drive - a celebration of all things social economy across the seven West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) localities with support from both Power to Change and WMCA. Starting Monday 13th November 2023, Social Economy Drive is a week-long programme of Meet the Buyer, workshops, networking, conferences, roundtables and expert knowledge-exchange collaborations. It brings together key stakeholders, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSE), commissioners, public and private sector, and entrepreneurs who are passionate about ‘growing the regional social economy’. Strategic Lead for Social Economy Growth at West Midlands Combined Authority, Charles Rapson, says: “Community-owned, social and environmental purpose-led businesses, charities, cooperatives, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations are important players in ensuring growth is beyond economic and thereby includes all members of our communities. These organisations support disadvantaged people and the West Midlands Combined Authority is committed to inclusive growth.” Chief Executive of infrastructure organisation, iSE CIC, Zel Mason, says: " Through the diverse and vibrant programme for Social Economy Drive 2023, businesses and the community will be able to connect with like-minded individuals, explore the latest trends in social impact, and spark new ideas for a better, more sustainable future." iSE CIC has brought together Regional Partners from all seven WMCA localities to extend the reach and social economy impact of Social Economy Drive 2023. These include Coventry & Warwickshire CDA, Provision House (Dudley), Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations, Warwickshire & Solihull Community and Voluntary Action, One Walsall and Access 2 Business (Wolverhampton). A flagship event will be hosted on Thursday 16th November 2023, international Social Enterprise Day, by the Department for Transport, and organised by BSSEC CIC. This will be in the form of a VCSE ‘Meet The Buyer’ procurement event to strengthen local supply chains, increase localised social impact and support the growth of the regional social economy by engaging with a greater number of trading community and social businesses. The Department of Transport alone spends £24 billion a year in their supply chain, and will be joined by HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, National Highways and includes influential speakers: Claire Dove CBE, VCSE Crown Representative, says: "I'm delighted to attend the Department of Transport's first Meet the Buyer event. Engaging with and promoting supply chain opportunities to charities and social enterprises is a key to achieving the ambitions I've set out in my role of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Crown Representative, to ensure there is increased recognition of the great work they do whilst tapping into the additional social benefits that can be achieved by engaging them in government supply chains." Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our region’s social economy is a relatively unknown but thriving sector made up of a diverse range of enterprises that collectively make a remarkable contribution to society. We’re home to around 11,000 social economy organisations directly impacting on over a quarter of a million people - as employees, volunteers or as beneficiaries. They contribute £3.5 billion a year to our region’s economy. “The Social Economy Drive is just one of several actions that the WMCA is happy to work with Power to Change to support - raising awareness of this important part of the economy. “Chiming with the themes of National Social Enterprise Day, we should see opportunities emerge for social enterprise to contribute to the supply chain - one of the best ways to support the social economy. I look forward to seeing the social economy continue to go from strength to strength in the months and years ahead.” Natalie White, Portfolio Manager at Power to Change as the key supporter for Social Economy Drive 2023, says: “From saving local shops and creating leisure facilities to providing training opportunities for local people and helping to build affordable housing, across the West Midlands community businesses are making places better. This year Power to Change are thrilled to be supporting the Social Economy Drive, a brilliant opportunity to connect with community businesses, celebrate their work, and envision how growing this sector can unlock positive change in communities across the region.” CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL PROGRAMME AND SIGN UP TO EVENTS

Project provides free business support to Hackney business owners with coaching, events & cost saving advice Allia is leading a new 18-month project, Hackney Impact, a dynamic partnership committed to fostering growth and prosperity within Hackney’s vibrant business community. Working with Hackney Co-operative Developments, East End Trades Guild, Social Founders and Better Futures, the programme is funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, Hackney Council and Hackney Business Network. The group of organisations and experts are uniting to provide a range of free business support to entrepreneurs in the Hackney borough, from early-stage start-ups to more established local businesses and charities. In addition to business support, the project aims to engage and embed collaboration and build community within the Hackney borough. The project kicked off today on Monday 23 October at a business breakfast networking event in Hackney for people to learn more about the project, meet the partner organisations and find out what support is on offer. A diverse group of founders, entrepreneurs and business owners from across a wide range of industries – such as café owners, artists, architects and massage therapists – gathered to learn about the project and how it aims to help the local business community.  Paul Wight, Allia’s Programme Manager for Hackney Impact said: “It was poignant to hear that many business owners are still feeling the impact of the Covid pandemic and were open about other challenges, such as the cost crisis and energy bills, that they are facing. The morning highlighted that there is a huge appetite for this type of support, and we are keen to provide that helping hand to help them on their journey.”Over the duration of the Hackney Impact project, over 220 businesses will receive: 1-1 coaching from Allia’s expert business coaches who provide personalised guidance, helping the business owners navigate challenges, set goals, and achieve their aims. Tailored business support courses that teach essential business knowledge and skills to succeed in today's competitive markets. Affordable workspace and local events where founders can come together to network, learn and collaborate. Free Energy Audit assessments and Net Zero business advice to help a business reduce their costs and lower their carbon footprint. Net Zero Grant Opportunity to make a business premises more energy efficient (applicants must meet eligibility criteria). Mentorship opportunities where experts will give bespoke insights and industry know-how to steer a business towards success. Allia has been active in the business community in Hackney for over six years, providing a range of support to help entrepreneurs and small local businesses get their ideas off the ground, and help them thrive and grow. It ran online Business Resilience programmes over the Covid pandemic to help those local businesses that had lost their customer bases and revenue streams by supporting them to pivot and diversify, so that they could survive. More recently it has been working with Hackney Council on its Green Business Programme to help local businesses adapt their ways of working to a more environmentally focused operation. Andrew Brisbin, Director of Ventures at Allia, said: “We’re excited to be part of an incredible group of partners who are building solutions for local entrepreneurs across every stage of their business journey. It’s amazing to bring together such a diverse set of skills, backgrounds, and passions to help strengthen the community we love." Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration said: “The Council has proven that when it is provided with funding and is empowered to design and deliver local business support programmes, it delivers positive social, environmental and financial outcomes for the businesses themselves and the wider community. The focus for this 18-month programme, which is expected to run to 31st March 2025, is on helping businesses transition to Net Zero, enhancing their social impact, and strengthening Hackney’s local ecosystem of business support.” Douglas Racionzer from Hackney Co-operative Developments said: “Hackney Cooperative Developments is delighted to collaborate in bringing to maturity our inclusive local economy.  This ecosystem has the potential to catalyse our common thoughts. Join us and let's flourish together.” Henrietta Cyrille from East End Trades Guild added: "I am no longer alone. The East End Trades Guild unites small businesses like mine, fostering a thriving ecosystem of self-starters who inspire and uplift each other towards prosperity. It is a place where generosity fuels knowledge and growth, where we connect, find support, and celebrate the essence and spirit of our endeavours. Hackney Impact steps up this support to a grander scale with its innovative ecosystem bringing real transformation for Hackney's micro-enterprise community." Caroline Diehl MBE at Social Founders said: “We are excited to support Hackney-based founders to grow both their impact and their financial sustainability - that challenging ‘double bottom line’, and to connect them with the wider ecosystem across this dynamic, innovative and vibrant borough. We want to support founders at all stages of their founder journey, and celebrate their achievements, stories and courage.” Jane Mossman at Better Futures said: “Better Futures is really excited to be working with Hackney's local businesses to identify ways to reduce their energy bills, reduce their carbon footprints and build resilience so they can thrive and be a force for good." 

The Diversity Forum have set up bi-monthly online meetings that are open to representatives from social enterprises with an interest in equality, diversity and inclusion. This is a great chance to meet with peers to work through challenges, share updates and better collaborate across the sector along with an aim to encouraging more disruptive debate around EDI in the social investment landscape. The agenda will be centred around: Introductions and named challenges / areas of focus Quick update from the Diversity Forum / sector-wide EDI activities Breakout rooms for discussions on areas of interest identified in introductions Feedback/summaries from group discussions and next steps Any upcoming events The next event will take place from 10-11 am on Thursday 16 November. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR PLACE

This week (18 October) we hosted our first Social Procurement Meet-up, bringing together hundreds of people from our Recommended Social Enterprise Supplier network and our Corporate Buyer network. After a welcome from our CEO Peter Holbrook, we heard the inspiring story behind our event venue, Good Company. Cemal Ezel explained how his Change Please coffee company has aligned with fellow social enterprise Toast Ale brewery to serve life-changing drinks by day and planet-saving drinks by night, working together to end homelessness and reduce food waste. CBRE’s ESG Director Amy Brogan spoke about the importance of social value and social procurement – across society generally as well as in her company specifically, which won our ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award last year for their impressive work building social enterprises into supply chains. Amy shared valuable insight and advice for buying organisations looking to ramp up their engagement with social enterprise suppliers. We also heard the social enterprise perspective on procurement partnerships from Jane Hatton, CEO of Evenbreak, who really brought to life what it means when big businesses work with our sector. Jane said: “When you buy with social enterprises, it’s not a transaction, it’s a transformation.” Following these powerful speeches, guests enjoyed a ‘speed networking’ session that enabled them to make hundreds of new contacts and explore professional connections. To help everyone connect with people suited to their business needs, we set up dedicated zones for common workstreams, covering everything from catering and facilities management to marketing and HR. Reflecting on the day, our CEO Peter Holbrook said: “It’s clear from the energy in the room today that procurement is changing – and in choosing the kind of business you want to work with, you can help create the kind of world you want to live in. With events like this and our social procurement services, we’re growing a life-changing and planet-saving movement, as companies big and small join forces to actively tackle the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time.” To find out more, go to www.socialenterprise.org.uk/get-involved/social-procurement.

On 18 October the Senedd played host to the annual Social Business Wales Awards this year, recognising the invaluable work of six Welsh social enterprises. Social businesses in Wales account for 2.6% of the total businesses in Wales, employing over 65,000 workers, with an annual turnover for the sector calculated ats £4.8bn. The Social Business Wales Award winners were: Câr-y-Môr: Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water Câr-y-Môr is committed to starting the first commercial seaweed and shellfish farm in Wales, to motivate and inspire others to duplicate. With a commitment to making a positive impact on the Welsh coastline and the local community, Câr-y-Môr impressed our judges with their innovative approach to running a business that puts their people and community at their core. https://www.carymor.wales/ The Bike Lock: One to Watch Sponsored by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water Cardiff’s first secure cycle storage facility. An independent bike storage and coworking space, serving locally roasted coffee in the heart of Cardiff. With a mission to build a space that encourages people to be more active and engage with their community, The Bike Lock impressed the judges with their passion and drive to support active travel in and around Cardiff, enabling a healthier and happier community. https://www.thebikelock.co.uk/ Outside Lives: Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Justice Sponsored by The Co-op With nature as their guide, Outside Lives are committed to connecting both people and communities, creating a more supportive, adaptable, resilient and resourceful environment for every living thing. https://www.outsidelivesltd.org Eleanor Shaw, People Speak Up: Social Enterprise Women’s Champion Eleanor is the Founder and Artistic and Business director of People Speak Up (PSU). Having spent many years as a leader in further education settings Eleanor felt the call to really make an even bigger impact. After making the brave move to leave her leadership role in FE she took time out and travelled to find healing and purpose. Eleanor found that through storytelling. https://peoplespeakup.co.uk/ With Music in Mind: Community-based Social Enterprise  Sponsored by Legal and General With Music In Mind is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in South Wales offering a regular service for older people in the community. The judges were impressed by the care and dedication With Music in Mind show towards the people that need their service, and their plans to extend their services to a wider area, ensuring more people suffering with isolation have the support they need and deserve. https://www.withmusicinmind.co.uk/ Creating Enterprise: Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year Sponsored by University of Wales Trinity St David Creating Enterprise, part of Cartrefi Conwy, is an award-winning building and maintenance contractor based in North Wales. The judges were impressed by their plans to build energy efficient, carbon zero homes, certified by Beattie Passive, whilst also employing the people supported by Cartrefi Conwy in the construction of these innovative homes. https://www.creatingenterprise.org.uk/en/home/ Social Business Wales, which is funded by the Welsh Government, provides intensive one-to-one support to social businesses and social entrepreneurs across Wales that are seeking  to expand or create jobs. Social Business Wales is delivered in partnership by Cwmpas, Unltd, WCVA, Development Bank of Wales, and Social Firms Wales. The programme is funded by the Welsh Government, and it is part of the Business Wales service Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, speaking on behalf of the Social Business Wales partners said: “Social enterprises embedded within their communities provide much needed support, services and jobs. “We have brilliant examples of businesses doing their bit to reduce the impact of climate change and reaching out to new members of the community through their equity, diversity and inclusion work. Congratulations to all our wonderful winners.” All the winners from the Social Business Wales Awards have automatically been added to the shortlist for their respective categories for the UK Social Enterprise Awards which will take place at the Roundhouse in London on 30 November. The headline sponsor for the Social Business Wales Awards 2023 is Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Categories were also sponsored by Legal and General, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and The Co-Op

The Liverpool City Region has won Social Enterprise Place status from an expert judging panel in recognition of its thriving social economy, with former mayor Joanne Anderson accepting the award at our Future Economy Alliance roundtable in Blackburne House.  The Social Enterprise Places initiative, established by national sector body Social Enterprise UK, formally identifies areas of the country where local stakeholders are dedicated to supporting social enterprises.   With deep-rooted social enterprise activity, Liverpool City Region boasts 1,400 social organisations generating £3 billion in annual income and employing 45,000 people. These encompass diverse areas, from cultural institutions like Future Yard and Shakespeare North Playhouse to urban farms, creative maker spaces, bike couriers and care organisations.  Mayor Steve Rotheram initiated social trading community Kindred in 2020, with support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Power to Change. Former mayor Joanne Anderson leads Kindred’s Black Social Traders Network, as well as the Liverpool City Region’s Social Investment Pathfinder which aims to increase sector investment from £5 million to £50 million.  Lord Victor Adebowale, patron of the Pathfinder and chair of Social Enterprise UK, praised the Liverpool City Region contribution to broader economic and social development through social businesses. Our CEO Peter Holbrook also commended the achievement, saying:  “It’s fantastic that Liverpool City Region has been recognised a Social Enterprise Place – and particularly pertinent while it hosts Labour Party Conference, with politicians discussing some of the major challenges where social enterprises can offer real solutions, from levelling up to Net Zero.   “Liverpool’s social enterprises already play a key role in the local economy, not only providing vital services but supporting the community and improving the environment. We hope its new Social Enterprise Place status will act as a lightning rod to supercharge the sector’s growth and deliver the economic transformation needed for communities across Liverpool to realise their full potential.”  To find out more about Social Enterprise Places click here.