Social Enterprise
Since taking over the management of ChangeUp in April 2006, Capacitybuilders has been working to involve social enterprise at every level of our programme.Strengthening social enterprise
Our strategy for strengthening the social enterprise sector is to improve the quality, sustainability and reach of the support services available.
These include things like training, financial advice or marketing consultancy, and are provided by diverse organisations across the country.
Investment programme
At Capacitybuilders’ annual conference on 17 June 2008, Minister for the Third Sector, Phil Hope MP, announced details of Capacitybuilders’ £6 million new investment to improve business support services for social enterprises.
Funding improvements
The money will fund improvements like new mentoring schemes, more accredited advisers and work to develop emerging markets.
Social enterprises operate a double bottom line, making a profit as well as having a social or environmental aim. Better tailored support services will help more social enterprises grow and thrive.
Collaboration with regional social enterprise networks
The funding, from the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, will be distributed over the next three years by Capacitybuilders.
Capacitybuilders will work with social enterprise networks in each region and other local partners including regional development agencies (RDAs) to identify the best ways to meet local needs.
Giving Social Enterprises "what they need to succeed"
Speaking at the conference, Phil Hope said: “This money will help regional business support services give social enterprises what they need to succeed. Support services need to reflect the particular challenges that social enterprises face because they have a social or environmental aim as well as making money.
“Helping social enterprises helps local economies and local communities to thrive so I’m very pleased that Capacitybuilders are leading this programme.”
Setting social enterprise support on a journey
Chris Pond, Chair of Capacitybuilders said: “This new programme reflects our commitment to ensure social enterprise is supported across our work. It will help set social enterprise support on a journey of improved quality that is long term and sustainable. “
Strategic investment
Capacitybuilders aims to ensure a strategic approach to investment against regional priorities. Social enterprise regional networks will be asked to work with key stakeholders over the coming months to identify priority actions to tackle weaknesses in provision in their areas.
Collaboration and shared learning
The programme will help increase collaboration and sharing of best practice between social enterprise support and the rest of the third sector, through consultation on priorities and the potential for collaborative projects.
It builds on the commitments of the Third Sector Review and Destination 2014 to ensure social enterprise is fully integrated in to Capacitybuilders’ programmes.
