Welcome to the Social Economy Webpages
Enterprising Britain 2010 competition
The 2010 winner of the Northern Ireland heat was Belfast City Council (Economic Development Unit) working in partnership with DETI, Dept of Education, Belfast Metropolitan College, QUB, GEMS NI, University of Ulster, Social Economy Belfast and Young Enterprise NI. Together they have put in place a range of measures to develop talent, competitiveness and sustainability across the city with sector and community specific programmes.
www.investni.com/index/start/socialentrepreneurs.htm
Social Economy Initiatives
For details of programmes on Social Enterprise and the community and Voluntary sector click on the link below.
Belfast Business Awards 2010
Congratulations!' - to Bryson Charitable Group who were announced as the winners of the Best Social Economy Enterprise at a Gala Ceremony on 29 April in the City Hall, Belfast -
SOCIAL ECONOMY ENTERPRISE (SEE) STRATEGY 2010-2011
The Executive's SEE Strategy was launched by DETI's Minister Arlene Foster on 25th March 2010. The Strategy was developed by Departments with an interest in developing the sector in partnership with stakeholders such as The Social Economy Network NI (SEN), the representative body of the sector.
The launch took place during a visit to Irvinestown Trustee Enterprise Company (ITEC). Outlining the Executive’s continued support for the sector, Arlene Foster said: “This strategy aims to ensure that the social economy sector is valued, encouraged and supported. The Executive values the distinctive role played by Social Economy Enterprises and it has been working, in partnership with key stakeholders, to further develop the sector
Pictured Above -R to L Arlene Foster, MLA & Enterprise Minister, Audrey Murray, Chair (SEN Board) & Anne Graham, Director (SEN)
To view the Strategy in full click on the link below.
Social Economy Strategy (PDF 370KB)social_economy_strategy_2010-2011_15-03_-4.pdf
The responses to the Social Economy Strategy Consultation can be viewed here.
SOCIAL ECONOMY ENTERPRISE (SEE) AWARENESS PROGRAMME
A group of senior civil servants visited the North West area on 9 March 2010. They visited Creggan Enterprises Limited (CEL) where the group were given a presentation and tour by Conal McFeely, Development Executive. Since it's inception in 1995, CEL has attracted in excess of £8million to the area through the development of the Rath Mor Centre.
The group also visited Loughgiel Community Development Association where a presentation and tour was given by the Centre Manager Angela O'Hagan who was the winner of Invest NI's Social Entrepeneur of the year in 2006.
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 2009 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.Liam McNeill ( North City Business) 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 2009 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 further information or would like to become a member of the Social Economy Network log onto social economy network
