
BSSEC CIC: The Social Economy FORUM
6th September 2023
We’re excited to announce our new knowledge network, The Social Economy FORUM, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority and facilitated by BSSEC CIC. The Social Economy FORUM is a knowledge exchange network for and to directly benefit social economy organisations. The forum will meet monthly on a specific topic for discussion and problem solving. It will work through:
- Knowledge transfer
- Peer support
- Access to Experts
The planned impact will be:
- Support for social economy growth
- Connections and opportunities
- Networking opportunities
- Access to sector information
Through The Social Economy FORUM discussion themes we will explore a diverse range of ‘enterprise and economy essentials’ such as business growth opportunities in the region, access to procurement sites, social trading platforms, consortium building, partnership working, social finance and investment, mergers and acquisitions, and developing your growth plans.
FORUM 1: Finding and accessing new market opportunities | Tuesday 26th September 2023, 2.30pm – 4.15pm, online
FORUM 2: Accessing public and private sector contracts through procurement | Tuesday 24th October 2023, 1.30pm – 3.00pm, online
FORUM 3: Partnership working | Tuesday 12th December 2023, 11.00am to 12.30pm, in-person Birmingham
FORUM 4: Consortium working | Tuesday 23rd January 2024, 11.00am to 1.00pm, in-person Wolverhampton
FORUM 5: Accessing business support | February 2024, 1.00pm to 3.00pm (in-person, TBC)
FORUM 6: Accessing social investment | 20th March 2024, 11.00am to 1.00pm (in-person, TBC)
But the FORUM isn’t about us… it’s about YOU!
What’s different about The FORUM is we recognise ‘the knowledge in the room’ and invite you to pitch a business challenge that you want expert or alternative insight on and that fits with our FORUM theme. Each FORUM discussion will invite 4-6 participants to outline their business challenge and welcome direct insights, feedback and recommendations from those in the room including our invited expert speakers.
STEP 1: Please register for The Social Economy FORUM knowledge network by completing a short questionnaire here. We will be running further FORUM sessions and roundtables over the coming months…. all FREE to attend!
STEP 2: Let us know you’re coming as event places are limited for these big impact sessions, please secure your place by emailing BSSEC CIC and we’ll then share the meeting link with you.
Diverse and inclusive, The Social Economy FORUM is open to B2B or B2C social businesses, community businesses, co-operatives, employee-owned businesses, minority ethnic-led businesses, charities, social enterprises and CIC’s, faith-based organisations, social enterprise or social economy organisations, and enterprises with clear social and/or environmental purpose within the *West Midlands Combined Authority area*. Participants are encouraged to positively challenge, actively collaborate and willingly connect through The Social Economy FORUM peer exchange events and roundtables.
Places will be restricted to one person per organisation with the expectation that information and knowledge will be shared internally. The FORUM sessions are not focused on infrastructure organisations. Please contact us for more information or to register interest in our Social Economy Roundtables.
We are keen to engage with VCSE social businesses across the WMCA localities – PLEASE REGISTER HERE

The Social Economy FORUM is supported by WMCA.
*West Midlands Combined Authority area includes: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton.