Social enterprise

There are numerous examples of voluntary and community organisations engaged in social enterprise activity.

Social enterprise is the activity of trading, selling goods and services, for a social purpose.

Social enterprises are businesses whose primary objective is social, ethical or community based and any surpluses are reinvested back into the business or local community.

Since social enterprise combines the intention of producing a social or community benefit with the idea of making money, then it is a logical step for voluntary and community organisations to develop this activity and diversify their income base.

Examples of social enterprises include neighbourhood nurseries, credit unions, fresh food co-operatives, community transport and charity shops.