Council Launches New Social Enterprise Initiative

A new social enterprise initiative has been launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, with the aim of allowing groups and individuals to explore the benefits and opportunities of trading as a social enterprise.

Explore Social will take place both online and in established social enterprise venues across the borough. The programme will explore idea generation as well as the governance surrounding social enterprises. It will also provide advice on how to 'tell your story' when 'defining your social impact'.

Each workshop will be facilitated by leading industry experts and will include guest speakers from established social enterprises and beneficiaries of social enterprises who will be sharing their journey.

Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Beth Adger, MBE said: "The social enterprise sector is a diverse and well established sector within the Northern Ireland economy. Mid and East Antrim has a strong network of established Social Enterprises and many organisations in the borough operate with a social enterprise ethos but lack the know how to be formally classified as such.

"Mid and East Antrim's Explore Social Programme is designed to support, encourage and nurture social enterprise ideas through a series of specialist activities and will help you in turning that idea into a reality."

The workshops will take place in September with the programme also providing specific legal structure support for individuals and organisations who are keen to explore the concept of social enterprises as a potential business model. Participants will also have an opportunity to apply to the Explore Social Seed Fund and access further support via the Go for It Programme, MEA Spark and Business Escalator Programmes.