WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY: Social Economy Growth
Since 2019, BSSEC CIC has been working evermore closely with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and other sector partners on the West Midlands Social Economy Task Force, worked in the Social Economy Business Planning Consortium which developed the West Midlands Social Economy Framework. Currently, we are active partners in the social economy virtual group of partners seeking to implement the new social economy growth framework.
We are especially interested in place-based social economy development, social procurement across the public sector and effective business support which can support business growth.
GROWING THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN THE WMCA AREA
DOUBLING THE SIZE OF THE REGIONAL SOCIAL ECONOMY
WEST MIDLANDS CIRCULAR ECONOMY ROUTE MAP
WEST MIDLANDS LEVELLING UP GROWTH PROSPECTUS
In July 2023, BSSEC CIC announced a new sector-led, ‘bottom up’ 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.
Through The Social Economy FORUM discussion themes which are sector-led, we 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. A panel of experts lead with insights followed by an open discussion and problem solving. Session reports are fed directly back to WMCA to inform the West Midlands social economy growth strategy, input to social economy action plans and understand the direct impact for social businesses across the region. The legacy piece will be a WMCA Forum for VCSE’s across the region.
The capacity-building elements include: 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
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS: All Social Economy FORUM and Roundtable session summaries are available as open-source downloads for the VCFSE sector here
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 localities of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
PLEASE REGISTER for the Social Economy FORUM network to receive session invites and updates.
3 things that happen next…
1️⃣ FIND OUT MORE & DOWNLOADS > click here
2️⃣ REGISTER TO JOIN FORUM NETWORK > click here
3️⃣ EVENT INVITES TO YOUR INBOX > each session invitation will be mailed to your inbox as a calendar invite for your session RSVP
Social Economy FORUM upcoming sessions | Social Economy SESSIONS reports and download
FORUM 9: Financial Planning and your Social Business | Wednesday 18th September 2024, 11am to 12.30pm (in-person, Provision House, Dudley DY1 1PY)
FORUM 10: DATA 101 – Essentials and Engagement for VCFSEs | Wednesday 13th November 2024, 11am to 12.30pm (in-person, Witton Lodge Community Association, Birmingham B23 5JD)
FORUM 11: Social Investment | Wednesday 5th February 2025, 11am to 12.30pm (in-person, Walsall)
FORUM 12: Sustainable Social Value | Tuesday 11th March 2025, 11am to 12.30pm (in-person, Coventry & Warwickshire CDA, Coventry CV6 5NX)
PLEASE ENSURE YOU REGISTER TO RECEIVE SOCIAL ECONOMY FORUM UPDATES & EVENT INVITES > Social Economy FORUM network registration here
