Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise: a strategy for success

Social Enterprise: a strategy for success was launched in July 2002. It sets out a programme for the next three years of how the Government will work with key partners to promote and sustain social enterprise activity.

Details of how to obtain copies of the strategy and introductory leaflets are given below. A summary of the strategy is available on this site.

To download a copy of the strategy click here

To order a printed copy of the strategy, please order online by using the ‘order now’ button below or visit www.dti.gov.uk/publications. Copies can also be ordered via the DTI’s Publications orderline on 0870 150 2500, quoting URN 02/1054.

ORDER NOW

Introductory leaflets outlining the main themes of the strategy are also available.

To download a copy of the leaflet click here

If you would like copies of this leaflet, which is suitable for posting or for inclusion in conference delegate packs, please contact the Social Enterprise Unit directly to arrange despatch.

Click on Latest News for details of A progress report on Social Enterprise: a strategy for success

Social Enterprise: a strategy for success (summary)

The Social Enterprise Unit, in developing the Government’s strategy for social enterprise, has identified three key outcomes needed to achieve the vision for social enterprise:

• creation of an enabling environment for social enterprise
• making social enterprises better businesses
• establishing the value of social enterprise

Creation of an enabling environment

The Government’s role is to create the environment in which social enterprises can flourish. We will do this through co-ordinated action by DTI, the Regional Development Agencies, Government Offices, other government departments and local government.

The Government is determined that the regulatory, tax and administrative framework should not hinder the development and growth of social enterprise. We will follow up any recommendations in the Performance and Innovation Unit review of the legal framework for the voluntary sector relating to social enterprise.

Social enterprises are often well placed to be able to deliver good quality, cost-effective public services demonstrating innovative new practices and increasing the participation of staff and users in service delivery. The Government believes there is significant potential for more public services to be delivered by social enterprises.

Making social enterprises better businesses

Like any other business, social enterprises need access to good quality business advice and training. The Government is committed to working more closely with training providers, whether public sector or private, to ensure that the level and quality of support available for social enterprises in some parts of the country, and in some sectors, is made available to all.

At present, many social enterprises are undercapitalised and struggle to access external finance, particularly when starting up, growing or moving away from grant dependency. Ensuring appropriate finance and funding is available to social enterprises is key to enabling the sector to develop and grow.

Establishing the value of social enterprise

At present, there is insufficient detailed information on the number of social enterprises in the UK and the Government acknowledges that there is an urgent need for research to determine the exact size, strength and spread of the sector.

Raising awareness and celebrating success and entrepreneurial achievement is important. Awards offer the opportunity to recognise and reward success, promote the sector and provide examples of innovative and entrepreneurial models for other enterprises.

Social enterprises have an impact much broader than just financial return. The ability to show that a social enterprise is meeting both its financial and social bottom lines will be increasingly important if social enterprises are to play an expanding role in the delivery of public services.