Latest info
Social Economy
Work West is recognised as a market leader in the field of social enterprise. Over the past 4 years the agency has been involved in delivering over 16 social economy support initiatives including Social Economy Belfast, Social Economy Lisburn, Invest Northern Ireland’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme throughout the Eastern Region and more recently Invest Northern Ireland’s Enterprising Communities, a pre-social enterprise development programme in the Renewing Communities areas.
In addition, comprehensive, tailor made training materials have been developed for the sector by Work West, which could be adapted for use with private businesses on generic topics such as financial management and strategic review.
Social Entrepreneurship Programme 2
If you are thinking about setting up a social enterprise or growing an existing social enterprise, the Social Entrepreneurship Programme 2 may be able to assist you.
The concept of the Social Entrepreneurship Programme 2 is firmly founded on a commercial business model. Focus will be placed on maximising economic impact and business growth after start up and those businesses which are capable of making a significant economic impact.
The four elements of the programme funded by Invest NI are all aimed at the promotion of sustainable models of business and provide capability support to allow organisations to set up and develop businesses with the potential of start up, growth or export development.
Lead in Development – Advice for groups without a clearly identified business start up idea or who need help to refine their idea.
Core Capability Support – A package of assistance to help groups develop their business plan, the potential for financial assistance towards start-up costs, start up capability advice and aftercare during the first year of trading.
Post Start Strategic Mentoring – One to one strategic mentoring specific to the needs of the groups. This is aimed at existing social enterprises with growth and export potential.
Mentoring Support for Transitional Groups - advice and support for voluntary and community sector groups seeking to make the transition to a social enterprise.
For more information contact Lynsey Cameron on (028) 90 610826 or email l.cameron@workwest.co.uk
Belfast City Council Pre Enterprise Social Economy Support Programme
Work West and our Social Economy Belfast partners are delighted to announce that a new programme of support is available for groups in Belfast exploring social enterprise for the first time.
The programme is aimed at groups and individuals at the pre-enterprise stage seeking to develop a new or existing social enterprise idea in the Belfast City Council area who have little or no experience of social economy structures and ethos.
The programme will run from September 2009 to June 2010 and will support 12 groups.
For more information contact Lynsey Cameron on (028) 90 610826 or email l.cameron@workwest.co.uk
Social Economy Fund
Supported by the Government’s Integrated Development Fund, through Invest Northern Ireland, the pilot Social Economy Fund involves supporting hard to reach individuals furthest removed from the labour market to take up two year employment placements in around 15 local social enterprises.
Work West have partnered with the Job Assist Centres for West Belfast and Greater Shankill to deliver the new initiative. This partnership brings together expertise in supporting and developing social enterprise, with support to individuals who struggle to access employment.
This partnership will deliver support to participating social enterprises and individuals on behalf of the Employment Services Board for West Belfast and Greater Shankill, who work to link up the needs of unemployed people in the area with potential employment and enterprise opportunities.
* Please note this programme is not currently open to new applications.
For more information contact Helen Matthews on (028) 90 610826 or email h.matthews@workwest.co.uk
BIG Black Book
The BIG Black Book is a Social Enterprise Trade Directory. This online directory is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. It aims to promote opportunities for social enterprises to do more business – by selling to each other, selling to the public and private sectors, and selling to the general public. Entries in the Directory are free to social enterprises set up and trading in Northern Ireland.
The BIG Black Book Social Enterprise Trade Directory has been developed by Work West and turning this idea into this BIG Black Book website and creating the online Directory has been made possible with support from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland.
The BIG Black Book can be found at www.bigblackbook.org
For more information contact Lynsey Cameron on (028) 90 610826 or email
