Capacitybuilders announce £6 million new investment to improve business support services for social enterprises
17/06/2008
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, has announced £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.
Ministerial announcement
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, announced the new fund at the Capacitybuilders annual conference in Birmingham on Tuesday 17 June.
Giving Social Enterprises "what they need to succeed"
He 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.”
Championing social enterprise
Jonathan Bland Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Coalition said: “We welcome today’s announcement and thank Phil Hope for his tireless championing of social enterprise."
Making a real difference
"The Capacitybuilders investment will make a real difference to social enterprises on the ground. It is vital to have the necessary mechanisms in place to support the start up and growth of sustainable social enterprises.”
He continued: ” Together we will develop and deliver the right support services for social enterprises. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to create innovative tools that will boost the growth of social enterprises in their quest to tackle social and environmental challenges of 21st century.”
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.
