What is social enterprise?
A social enterprise is a business driven by social and environmental objectives. The Social Enterprise Ambassadors believe that social enterprise can build a fairer and more stable economy by doing business better. This is because social enterprises are driven to generate profits to further their social and environmental goals. Many commercial businesses would consider themselves to have social objectives, but social enterprises are distinctive because their social or environmental purpose is central to what they do.
Well-known examples of social enterprises include The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen, the fair-trade chocolate company Divine Chocolate, and many of the Ambassadors’ organisations. According to 2005-2007 data from the Annual Survey of Small Business UK, there are approximately 62,000 social enterprises in the UK contributing at least £24bn to the economy. Social enterprises are estimated to employ 800,000 people.
The social enterprise movement is inclusive and diverse, encompassing organisations such as development trusts, community enterprises, co-ops, housing associations, social firms and leisure trusts, among others. These businesses are operating at different scales and across an incredibly wide range of industries and sectors from health and social care, to renewable energy, recycling and fair trade. And they use a variety of legal structures, including limited liability companies, community interest companies (CICs) and co-operatives.
Whatever form they take, social enterprises prove that social and environmental responsibility can be combined with financial success. They challenge and help government to improve the way public services are designed and delivered. They are able to harness the power of local communities – catalysing regeneration and promoting active citizenship. They are able to work with business but also challenge it through raising standards for ethical business and corporate social responsibility. And they can inspire, engage and involve people from all backgrounds to contribute to a better society.
>>> Social Enterprise Ambassador profiles
>>> Useful links
