Entrepreneurship
Theme: Social Enterprise
Cross-cutting themes covered: Governance and Strategy
Name of project: Social Enterprise London
City: London
What is it? Social Enterprise London (SEL) is the key representative of the social enterprise sector in London. It promotes best practice, advocacy, and development, with the aim of supporting individuals, organisations and regional government in realising the full potential of social enterprise in London.
Who is it? SEL operates in strategic partnership with London Councils (previously called the Association of London Government - an umbrella organisation representing London’s local authorities and the London Development Agency (the economic development agency for London).
Where is it? SEL represents and promotes social enterprises across London.
Who funds it? SEL is financed by a range of organisations, including:
SEL is also a membership organisation, based on small fees heavily subsidised by the London Development Agency.
How does it work? Promoting good governance of the social economy: SEL is active in ensuring that the profile of social enterprise is raised, and that it remains high on the agenda of local, regional and national government, not just as a short-term policy ‘trend’, but as a durable and sustainable form of business growth.
Advocacy work: SEL is also active in promoting social enterprises in London, through showcase events and helping to enhance the visibility of services and products delivered by social enterprises in London.
Anything else? Business support: SEL has a number of services aimed at building the capacity of existing social enterprises, through projects, open surgery sessions for start-ups and consultancy services for more established businesses.
What are the results? SEL has been instrumental in bringing key actors together in London, by launching LA Connects (London’s social enterprise local authority forum) and keeping social enterprise in the news and policy spotlight.
Is the model transferable? SEL’s role as a catalyst for the development of social enterprise in London could be replicated in other cities and countries. However, it would require the backing of the local and regional government, as well as a clear positioning within the strategic economic and social development framework of the cities in which the model would be transposed, to ensure a similar high level of impact and profile of its activities.
Building on local competitive advantages? SEL has built upon and helped to promote a thriving social enterprise base in London. SEL has also benefited from a strong partnership with local authorities and the London Development Agency, combined with a relatively high level of awareness of social enterprise and its potential. Lack of any of these factors could pose a barrier to transferability.
