Office of the Third Sector Homepage
Last updated: 30 November 2008
The recently launched Social Enterprise Action Plan: Scaling New Heights lays firm foundations for a new era of social awareness in business and commerce.
The DTI 2006 Household Survey revealed that only one person in four knows what a social enterprise is. But that is all set to change, thanks to the Social Enterprise Action Plan. The Action Plan was launched on November 16, by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and Cabinet Office Ministers Hilary Armstrong and Ed Miliband.
In the spirit of the Plan's awareness-raising agenda, Liam Black, chief executive of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant - which is one of the best-known Social Enterprises in the UK - also came to support at the launch as chair.
Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, said: "From classrooms to boardrooms, people need to know what social enterprise is and what it can achieve. This Action Plan will shine a light on a movement that is at the vanguard of social change and enable it grow and thrive."
Social enterprises are companies that are founded for a social or environmental purpose, that reinvest their profits in either the company or the community. There are currently around 55,000 social enterprises across the country. The Social Enterprise Action plan aims to pave the way, both culturally and financially, for thousands more to be established in the coming years.
One of the core messages revolves around encouraging more young people aged 14-30 to get involved, and to inspire this next generation to consider the social impact of business. To this end, social enterprise education is being established on the national curriculum at GCSE and A Level, while up to 20 ambassadors will act as role-models for fledgling social entrepreneurs.
Alongside a number of other high-profile initiatives and more than £18 million of investment, the Action Plan also aims to tackle existing barriers to the set-up and grow of social enterprise. Collectively, its measures aim to ensure social enterprise becomes a mainstream option for anyone of any age setting up a business in the UK.