Communities and Local Government
A selection of images representing communities.
Direct contact 020 7944 4400- contactus@communities.gov.uk
- Communities and neighbourhoods
- Third sector, community and voluntary groups
- Social Enterprise Day
Social Enterprise Day - transforming communities
17-21 November 2008 is Enterprise week and 20 November 2008 is Social Enterprise Day. The Government (working with organisations representing social enterprises) defines social enterprises as:
"Businesses with primarily social or environmental objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners."
Like conventional businesses, social enterprises differ hugely in size, form and role. In size, they can range from a one-man-band to a multi-national; in form, from a charity to a community interest company. Some social enterprises have entered the mainstream and are regarded as national brands or icons: Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Foundation, fair-trade coffee company Café Direct or The Big Issue.
Social enterprises have the potential to transform communities. As sustainable businesses with a mission for community benefit rather than private profit, social enterprises have a key role to play in building a stronger economy and fairer society. Social Enterprise is not just concerned with profits but is also related with people and place- making it a core focus for the department's work.
Support for social enterprise is already Government policy. The 2006 Social Enterprise Action Plan identified four broad actions Government, led by the Office for the Third Sector, would undertake in support of social enterprise:
- Foster a culture of social enterprise
- Ensure that the right information and advice is available
- Enable social enterprise to access appropriate finance
- Enable social enterprise to work with Government
The Social Enterprise Unit based in Communities and Local Government is set up to ensure that social enterprises have the opportunity to contribute to the department's work. We will regularly update this page to keep you touch with the progress we are making in this area.
