iSE CIC: Growing the Social Economy, that’s quite a task!
5th March 2024
Growing the social economy, quite a task, and how and why does it need to be done?
Big questions and lively discussions dominated the room at the latest BSSEC CIC Social Economy FORUM network event which I attended over in the SWEDA HQ in West Bromwich last week.
Working with social entrepreneurs at iSE CIC on a weekly basis and helping as best we can to facilitate opportunities to help them develop and grow, we see the impact that they make deep in local communities, and the challenges that can make growth more difficult.
So, sitting in a room with a group of people who work in the sector, including a number of social entrepreneurs working on the front-line, all part of the eco-system that is built around the social economy, we look for answers.
How do we ensure that our local Social Enterprises can tender for local contracts, how do we lift the barriers?
Brand new funded programmes being launched but how do we ensure that learning cascades through to strengthening the organisations currently delivering deep in the communities today?
We (iSE CIC) are cluster leads for Digbeth, a Social Enterprise quarter, teaming with innovation and new social businesses. We recently hosted at KiloZero, the UK’s first zero waste tap bar, a visit by US Ambassador Jane Hartley, herself passionate about social enterprise, so the momentum and support for change is here.
Photograph shows US Ambassador Jane Hartley, Drew Currie (Board Member, iSE CIC), Cathy Brown (iSE CIC) and Andy Street (Mayor of West Midlands).
Often with a network of people meeting, it is exciting to think of not only who is in the room, but who could be in the room to add a new perspective.
Our aim is to educate, how we implement that is key. For example, can we work more closely with local colleges sitting in the heart of communities to share knowledge and help to support the next generation of innovative social entrepreneurs?
To become an active part of making change it is essential to be open to new ideas and to invite people to the table from a broad spectrum, and it is why being part of this Social Economy FORUM network, which has the opportunity and tools to do just that as it grows, is so positive.
Guest blog author:
Jane de Weijer | Social Enterprise Business Adviser, iSE CIC | Connect on LinkedIn
