WMCA: Social Economy Business Growth Support
3rd February 2024
This week has seen the start of recruitment for participants on the largest programme of specialist business training and support for social enterprises, community businesses, cooperatives, trading charities and others making up the social economy ever run in the West Midlands. The programme will be delivered in partnership with Enterprise Nation & Birmingham Enterprise Community, Locality, Aston University, and the School for Social Entrepreneurs.
The West Midlands Social Economy Business Growth Support programme is aimed at developing the business skills of Social Enterprises, Community Owned Businesses, Cooperatives and Charity Trading Arms to help them grow, become more sustainable and increase the impact they have in addressing inequalities. This programme is funded by the UK Government and the West Midlands Combined Authority from funds provided from the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund. It is part of the West Midlands Combined Authorities commitment to inclusive growth and the government’s commitment to levelling up. The programme is open to any of those Social Economy organisations, in the West Midlands, who want to grow their trading income to achieve their goals.
The main programme is peer learning plus one-to-one support. 4 levels are available, depending on the size of the business and all come with a grant of between £2,000 and £20,000. 120 places available.
In addition, there will be an opportunity for 40 organisations to become better informed about social investment and public sector procurement. Applicants should be eager to develop their business skills to grow their business and impact. The focus will be very much on increasing trading income. Demand is expected to be high so applicants are advised to apply early.
WMCA also launched its more mainstream Business Growth West Midlands service, which offers a range of business advice, skills, funding and finance options across the region to all sectors – including Social Economy organisations.
RECRUITMENT IS OPEN | Details and application links here.
SEE PRESS COVERAGE IN YOUR WMCA LOCALITY
Solihull Observer: Cash support on offer for community-led businesses
Birmingham Mail: £1.7m funding for community businesses
Express and Star (City Final): New funding programme aims to help communities
Black Country Radio: £1.7m of funding for community-led businesses
Phoenix Newspaper (Online): £1.7m of funding for community-led businesses
Solihull Observer: Legacy fund cash will help charity
Solihull Observer: Commonwealth Games legacy funds help Solihull charity
Express & Star (West Midlands) (Online): Four Black Country organisations given share of £400,000 to help some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods
BBC Radio WM: 1/4/2024 12:50:34 PM