Could your organisation become a social enterprise?

Now open for recruitment, the Social Economy Outreach Programme will run from February - December 2013 and will support 10 groups in Belfast who want to become social entrepreneurs.

The programme will include one-to-one mentoring and tailored workshops focusing on the rewards of becoming a social enterprise with training taking place in two existing social enterprises in the city –the Ashton Centre in north Belfast and the East Belfast Mission (Skainos Centre).  Included in the programme is a workshop focusing on the transition of a voluntary or charity group becoming a social enterprise by putting in place the legal structures and business models that could work for them. Guidance will also be given on defining the social business’ mission statement and core values.  The successful groups will take part in a visit to Derry/Londonderry, the City of Culture for 2013, and one lucky participant will also have the opportunity to set up their social enterprise at either e3 or Work West Social Economy Village for a year. The programme is being delivered for the council by Work West Enterprise Agency.
                   
To apply for the programme and an application form, you should contact Lynsey Cameron at Work West on 90610826 or Belfast City Council on 028 9027 0229 or email [email protected]. The closing date for applications is Thursday 31 January.

The Social Economy Outreach Programme is part funded by the council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.