Welcome to the Social Economy Webpages
SOCIAL ECONOMY ENTERPRISE STRATEGY 2010-2011 PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Public Consultation on the SEE Strategy ended on Friday 9th October 2009. Consultation responses have been considered and where possible changes have been reflected in an updated version which, subject to Executive approval, will be finalised by end of March 2010.
social_economy_strategy_2010-2011__16-12_.pdf
SOCIAL ECONOMY ENTERPRISE (SEE) AWARENESS PROGRAMME
A group of senior civil servants visited the Orchardville Society on 26 January 2010 as part of a programme to raise awareness within government of the social economy sector. The programme included presentations from the Social Economy Network (SEN), the representative body of the sector and the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT), the key provider of loan finance, free advice, business support and mentoring to the social economy sector in Northern Ireland. In addition participants had an opportunity to visit several enterprises within the Orchardville Group including its bottling plant at Knockbracken and Espresso East café on the lower Newtownards Road, Belfast.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME (SEP) IS LAUNCHED
DETI's Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, announced details on the Social Entrepreneurship Programme on 22nd June at Crumlin Road Gaol. The new SEP will provide improved support for participating groups. It will offer more flexible and timely assistance for those at the start-up stage, and there will be greater focus on growing those existing social enterprises which can make a significant economic impact. Further information can be found at investni.
SOCIAL ECONOMY VILLAGE IS OFFICIALLY OPENED
A new £1.4 million development creating 36 jobs was officially opened in Belfast on 25th June 2009. The Social Economy Village in West Belfast is the culmination of ten years of hard work and planning by local enterprise agency Work West. The 15,000 square foot building located on Hannahstown Hill was funded by Work West, DETI and the International Fund for Ireland. Workspace in the Social Economy Village is targeted at social economy enterprises involved in manufacturing or tradable services. The first tenant, Belfast Hill Partnership has just moved into the Social Economy Village. Further information can be found at work west.
NEW SOCIAL ECONOMY NETWORK BOARD MEMBERS
The SEN have appointed Audrey Murray as their new chair. Bryan McCrory (Irish League of Credit Unions) and Arthur Savage (Ulster Support Employment Limited) have become new Board Members. A list of current Board Members can be found in the Social Economy Network area of this website.
SOCIAL ECONOMY NETWORK'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Social Economy Network (SEN) hosted its Annual Conference on 1st July in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan. MLA's from across the political spectrum pledged unanimous support for the social economy sector. During the proceedings a debate was chaired by BBC's Mark Carruthers and panel members were John Barry (Green Party), Jennifer McCann (Sinn Fein), Ian Parsley (Alliance Party) and David McNarry (UUP) answered questions from the audience. Further information can be found at social economy
BIG BLACK BOOK OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
An online trade directory listing businesses which have "not for profit" social objectives aims to be a comprehensive listing of all the local businesses working to transform society and build a better future. For further information please log onto big black book.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMY NETWORK
If you are an organisation that is involved in achieving social goals and you would like to become a member of the Social Economy Network membership application forms are now available in the "forms section" of this web site. For further information on the Network click on Social Economy Network section on our website or log onto social economy network
