Cabinet Office
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) in the Cabinet Office today announced it will fund seven leading organisations in the social enterprise sector a total of £3m over three years to raise awareness with key groups and represent the sector in policy development.
The funding will ensure that the voice of the sector, and news of its impressive social and environmental achievements, is heard not only inside government, but with other crucial audiences from classrooms to boardrooms.
The money will also specifically ensure that there is a fair voice for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BME) individuals and organisations involved in the sector.
The new social enterprise partners, chosen through open competition, are:
Campbell Robb, Director-General of the OTS, said:
“It is vitally important that the concerns and priorities of the third sector come through loud and clear to government, and the OTS's Strategic Partners programme aims to ensure there are organisations that are empowered to make this happen. I look forward to constructive and productive relationships with our new social enterprise partners, and welcome their work to ensure the voices of black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are properly heard.”
This funding is part of the OTS's broader Strategic Partners programme, which provides funding to third sector organisations to enable them to fairly reflect the views of their members to government, through activities including events, conferences, research or consultation. For its part, the OTS will consult and involve partners in policy development, taking into account the evidence, advice and opinion they provide.
All the partners have agreed to spend parts of this new funding on ensuring that they reach out effectively to BME communities so they are able to articulate their distinct needs and issues.
Most significantly, the Social Enterprise Coalition will undertake a lead role on behalf of the social enterprise movement, developing and delivering a plan for engaging and integrating BME social enterprise. This will include:
This programme will be shaped, developed and steered by a BME steering group comprising SEC board members and other key stakeholders, and will include a wide consultation with relevant organisations.
The funding for social enterprise strategic partners was first proposed in the Social Enterprise Action Plan launched by the Government in November last year. Original funding was planned at £2.4m, and additional money is specifically for the new BME work.