Social Economy West Collaborative Action Plan - Version 1 - Oct 2017

Social​ ​Economy​ ​West Collaborative Action​ ​Plan…

Version​ ​1​ ​-​ ​Oct​ ​2017

Context The Social Economy represents a significant proportion of our region’s economy, lead by organisations with the intention of making profits for communities rather than investors or owners. Known as the 'social economy', it includes cooperatives, mutual societies, non-profit associations, foundations and social enterprises.

The West of England is a thriving, creative and community-minded region that serves as a fertile foundation for social enterprise and innovation. Businesses of all sizes are working with social enterprises to make a positive, practical difference and find innovative​ ​solutions​ ​to​ ​pressing​ ​societal​ ​problems.

There are social enterprises active in all business sectors across the region. Businesses in this sector range from community action projects, like the Bearpit Improvement Group; to city-wide financial movements like the Bristol Pound; from cultural institutions like Watershed and St Pauls Carnival and to leading providers of NHS community health​ ​services​ ​at​ ​Bristol​ ​Community​ ​Health.

The estimated annual turnover for the Social Enterprise Sector in the West of England is £380 million, up from £240 million in 2004/5.1 As of 2017 there were an estimated total of 17,929 people employed in the Social Enterprise sector in the West of England, with​ ​a​ ​16.3%​ ​forceasted​ ​growth​ ​rate​ ​by​ ​2024.2

Co-creating​ ​an​ ​action​ ​plan An open meeting was held at Triodos Foundation in Bristol on Thursday 28th of September 2017, convened by Karl Belizaire chair of the Social Enterprise Sector Group for the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. The event explored 5 pertinent topics. 3 related to influencing the West of England Combined Authority Strategy Review; 1 related to inputting into Voscur and Bristol City Council’s VSCE review and 1 related the national campaign for encouraging people and organisations to​ ​buy​ ​social​ ​lead​ ​by​ ​Social​ ​Enterprise​ ​UK. Each topic was explored via an impromptu panel debate with volunteers from the audience sharing their views and insights upon the challenges and opportunities for each theme, followed by collectively exploring suggested actions and objectives in further details to co-create a Social Economy Action plan for the​ ​West​ ​of​ ​England.

The aim and objective of this activity is to produce a strategic set of co-created recommendations, with reason and evidence based relating to both policy and practice, in order to better enhance the impact and performance of new and existing social economy organisations in Bristol and the West of England. As well as ensuring action alignment​ ​between​ ​local,​ ​regional​ ​and​ ​national​ ​policy​ ​priorities​ ​and​ ​initiatives.

1 2

​ ​Mapping​ ​the​ ​Social​ ​Enterprise​ ​Sector​ ​in​ ​the​ ​West​ ​of​ ​England​,​ ​2013 ​ ​Labour​ ​Market​ ​Information:​ ​West​ ​of​ ​England​ ​Careers,​ ​2017

Social​ ​Economy​ ​Sector​ ​development Challenges

Opportunities

Encouraging​ ​engagement​ ​from​ ​low​ ​income communities​ ​and​ ​community​ ​led​ ​enterprises

More​ ​locally​ ​embedded​ ​place​ ​based​ ​support support​ ​in​ ​communities

Communicating​ ​our​ ​collective​ ​narrative​ ​at​ ​a local,​ ​regional​ ​and​ ​national​ ​levels

Change​ ​the​ ​narrative​ ​about​ ​business

Rising​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​demand​ ​for​ ​public​ ​service provision​ ​and​ ​reduced​ ​public​ ​spending

Delivering​ ​public​ ​services​ ​better

Losing​ ​vital​ ​community​ ​assets

Acquiring​ ​more​ ​strategic​ ​community​ ​assets

Prohibitive​ ​procurement​ ​practices

Challenging​ ​and​ ​influencing​ ​future procurement​ ​practices

Articulating​ ​and​ ​demonstrating​ ​our​ ​social impact​ ​and​ ​value

Increased​ ​trade​ ​activity​ ​via​ ​impact​ ​Social Value​ ​Policies​ ​and​ ​Buy​ ​Social​ ​Campaigns

Lack​ ​of​ ​cross​ ​sector​ ​engagement

More​ ​cross​ ​sector​ ​collaboration​ ​particularly with​ ​the​ ​private​ ​sector

Action

Why?

Who?

When?

Developing​ ​local Sustainable Development​ ​Goals framework​ ​to​ ​enable easy​ ​aggregation​ ​and comparisons​ ​of​ ​data

Increase​ ​credibility​ ​and recognition​ ​through reliable​ ​and benchmarkable​ ​data​ ​in line​ ​with​ ​UN​ ​SDGs

Bristol​ ​SDG alliance​ ​with cross-sector support

Revive​ ​/​ ​reengage Neighbourhood Forums

Drawing​ ​on​ ​best practice​ ​to​ ​provide space​ ​to​ ​collaborate, network​ ​and​ ​share resources​ ​and​ ​skills

Residents TBC Community​ ​Support Orgs Voscur​ ​/​ ​BBSEN Bristol​ ​City​ ​Council

Support​ ​for community​ ​spaces

There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​need​ ​for specialist​ ​advice​ ​and administrative​ ​back office​ ​support​ ​for spaces

BCC SocEnt​ ​Network Locality

TBC

Enable​ ​more​ ​funding and​ ​resources​ ​for local​ ​social entrepreneurs

To​ ​support​ ​sustainable enterprises​ ​that​ ​create social​ ​value​ ​for​ ​society

BCC SocEnt​ ​Network

TBC

Work​ ​with​ ​BCC​ ​to increase​ ​engagement with​ ​commissioners

Help​ ​educate,​ ​influence BCC and​ ​engage Voscur pre-procurement SocEnt​ ​Network opportunities​ ​to​ ​ensure social​ ​enterprises​ ​stand best​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​success

TBC

Mainstream​ ​social enterprise

Increased​ ​awareness and​ ​education​ ​will​ ​lead to​ ​increased​ ​numbers of​ ​new​ ​entrants​ ​and increase​ ​consumer​ ​buy into​ ​to​ ​support sustainability

ALL

Ongoing

Explore​ ​idea​ ​of developing​ ​a dedicated​ ​trade association​ ​for​ ​social economy

Provide​ ​a​ ​collective voice​ ​and​ ​platform​ ​for trade​ ​and​ ​buying​ ​social

Ted​ ​Fowler​ ​&​ ​Karl Belizaire

ASAP

ASAP

Developing​ ​enterprises​ ​that​ ​succeed Challenges

Opportunities

Connectivity,​ ​particularly​ ​with​ ​other​ ​sectors

More​ ​cross-sector​ ​and​ ​thematic​ ​networking

Lack​ ​of​ ​robust​ ​data​ ​to​ ​demonstrate​ ​scale​ ​of local​ ​social​ ​economy​ ​sector

Collaborative​ ​mapping​ ​work​ ​to​ ​support​ ​national narrative

Increasing​ ​capacity​ ​of​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​in order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​investment​ ​ready

Investment​ ​readiness​ ​and​ ​backfilling​ ​for capacity​ ​to​ ​secure​ ​investments

Reaching​ ​out​ ​and​ ​engaging​ ​with​ ​low​ ​income communities

Increased​ ​support​ ​for​ ​social​ ​enterprise organisations

Technology​ ​creates​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​some and​ ​barriers​ ​for​ ​others​ ​left​ ​behind

Opportunities​ ​for​ ​collaboration​ ​with​ ​technology sector​ ​to​ ​enable​ ​more​ ​tech-for​ ​good

Increasing​ ​visibility​ ​and​ ​awareness​ ​of​ ​social enterprise​ ​and​ ​social​ ​economy​ ​to​ ​enable mainstreaming​ ​with​ ​potential​ ​customers

Shared​ ​stories​ ​of​ ​success​ ​to​ ​build​ ​credibility

Encouraging​ ​more​ ​companies​ ​and customers​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​social​ ​and​ ​increase​ ​trade with​ ​each​ ​other

More​ ​engagement​ ​and​ ​awareness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Buy Social​ ​Corporate​ ​Challenge​ ​and​ ​Social​ ​Value policies.

Action

Why?

Who?

When?

Increase collaboration between​ ​different business​ ​sectors

Increase​ ​partnerships and​ ​collaboration

WECA Voscur Business​ ​West

ASAP

Review​ ​and implement​ ​Social Value​ ​Policies​ ​of WECA

To​ ​ensure​ ​social value​ ​is​ ​at​ ​the​ ​heart of​ ​WECA​ ​strategy​ ​for inclusive​ ​growth

WECA

ASAP

Connect​ ​social entrepreneurs​ ​with experience​ ​mentors and​ ​business coaches

To​ ​increase competitiveness

SSE Business​ ​West

ASAP

Develop​ ​strong​ ​local narrative underpinned​ ​by strong​ ​quantitative evidence​ ​about​ ​the impact​ ​and​ ​growth​ ​of the​ ​social​ ​economy

To​ ​keep​ ​building​ ​the business​ ​case​ ​for supporting​ ​the​ ​sector

Voscur BBSEN

ASAP

Developing​ ​World​ ​Class​ ​Skills Challenges

Opportunities

Time.​ ​Biggest​ ​challenge​ ​is​ ​having​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to engage​ ​in​ ​capacity​ ​building​ ​and​ ​skill development​ ​opportunities

Provide​ ​flexible​ ​learning​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Growth Hub​ ​and​ ​other​ ​relevant​ ​platforms

Availability​ ​of​ ​training​ ​and​ ​skills​ ​offers,​ ​both geographically​ ​(ie.​ ​away​ ​from​ ​city​ ​centres)​ ​or time​ ​of​ ​day​ ​(ie.​ ​More​ ​evening​ ​&​ ​weekends)

Provide​ ​training​ ​events​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​typical working​ ​hours​ ​and​ ​across​ ​the​ ​city​ ​and​ ​region

Low​ ​incomes​ ​in​ ​local​ ​neighbourhoods​ ​act​ ​as a​ ​barrier​ ​from​ ​pursuing​ ​further​ ​and​ ​higher education

Raise​ ​aspirations​ ​about​ ​social entrepreneurship​ ​as​ ​a​ ​valid​ ​career​ ​option

Developing​ ​the​ ​technical​ ​hard​ ​business​ ​skills required​ ​to​ ​sustain​ ​and​ ​lead​ ​a​ ​successful enterprise

Opportunity​ ​for​ ​leadership​ ​and​ ​mentoring support

New​ ​entrants​ ​finding​ ​place​ ​in​ ​crowded​ ​market

More​ ​cross​ ​sector​ ​collaboration

Encouraging​ ​a​ ​pipeline​ ​of​ ​talent​ ​into​ ​the sector

Opportunity​ ​to​ ​pilot​ ​a​ ​new​ ​social​ ​enterprise level​ ​4​ ​apprenticeship

Accessing​ ​less​ ​engaged​ ​communities

Tapping​ ​into​ ​diverse​ ​talent

Action

Why?

Who?

When?

School​ ​level​ ​learning and​ ​doing

To​ ​promote​ ​an​ ​early culture​ ​of​ ​social entrepreneurship

Schools LEP​ ​Enterprise Advisors

ASAP

Celebrate​ ​more​ ​role models​ ​for​ ​inspiring others

Encouraging​ ​and engage​ ​new​ ​entrants and​ ​interest​ ​into​ ​the sector

Sector

ASAP

Opening​ ​social​ ​sector events​ ​to​ ​private sectors

Encouraging​ ​more cross​ ​sector collaboration

Quarter Bristol​ ​junior Chamber Voscur

ASAP

Pilot​ ​delivery​ ​of​ ​social enterprise apprenticeships

Provide​ ​learning​ ​by doing​ ​pathways​ ​into social​ ​enterprise

Weston​ ​College Local​ ​employers

April​ ​2018

Encourage​ ​providers to​ ​be​ ​more accessible​ ​and available

Encourage​ ​wider participation

Voscur Business​ ​West Bath​ ​University UWE

ASAP

Develop​ ​ongoing mentoring opportunities

Develop​ ​professional leadership

SSE Skills​ ​West

ASAP

Social​ ​Economy​ ​Infrastructure Challenges

Opportunities

Availability​ ​of​ ​land​ ​for​ ​development

Shift​ ​business​ ​models​ ​from​ ​development​ ​led to​ ​community​ ​led

Cost​ ​of​ ​business​ ​rates,​ ​challenges​ ​with securing​ ​rate​ ​reductions

Explore​ ​more​ ​Business​ ​Improvement​ ​Districts

Rent​ ​reduction​ ​has​ ​knock​ ​on​ ​effect​ ​for​ ​local housing​ ​associations

Different​ ​models​ ​emerging​ ​for​ ​resident​ ​led initiatives​ ​and​ ​support​ ​for​ ​assisted​ ​living

Loosing​ ​community​ ​assets​ ​to​ ​private​ ​property developers

Opportunity​ ​to​ ​strategically​ ​review​ ​how community​ ​assets​ ​can​ ​be​ ​best​ ​utilized​ ​for community​ ​benefit

Developing​ ​local​ ​sustainable​ ​energy

Affordable​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​developing​ ​renewable community​ ​energy

Lack​ ​of​ ​affordable​ ​homes​ ​and​ ​community owned​ ​infrastructure

Opportunity​ ​for​ ​building​ ​self​ ​sufficient​ ​and sustainable​ ​communities​ ​through​ ​local community​ ​infrastructure

Challenges​ ​for​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​in Opportunities​ ​for​ ​Social​ ​Economy​ ​to​ ​benefit procurement​ ​opportunities​ ​surrounding from​ ​Social​ ​Value​ ​policies​ ​being​ ​effectively infrastructure. implemented​ t​ o​ ​all​ ​West​ ​of​ ​England Infrastructure​ ​tenders​ ​and​ ​contracts

Action

Why?

Who?

When?

Enable​ ​more To​ ​be​ ​proactive​ ​and community​ ​ownership stop​ ​people​ ​from of​ ​infrastructure being​ ​ripped​ ​off

Community​ ​Land Trust BCC Energy​ ​Coops Funders

ASAP

Support​ ​community hubs

Existing​ ​hubs​ ​need ongoing​ ​support​ ​to thrive​ ​and​ ​be​ ​anchors in​ ​communities

Funders Local​ ​community orgs BCC

ASAP

Develop​ ​more

Cost​ ​of​ ​living

Community​ ​led​ ​farms

ASAP

community​ ​food initiatives

highlights​ ​importance of​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​grow your​ ​own​ ​food

and​ ​allotments Edible​ ​Bristol Grow​ ​Bristol

Review​ ​policies​ ​to ensure​ ​Social​ ​Value is​ ​well​ ​represented​ ​in all​ ​public infrastructure contracts

To​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​social WECA economy​ ​has​ ​a BCC chance​ ​of​ ​competing and​ ​collaborating​ ​in​ ​a more​ ​competitive​ ​way

ASAP

Work​ ​with commissioners​ ​to increase​ ​engagement with​ ​sector

Help​ ​educate, influence​ ​and​ ​engage pre-procurement opportunities​ ​to ensure​ ​social enterprises​ ​stand best​ ​chance​ ​of success

TBC

BCC Voscur SocEnt​ ​Network

Encouraging​ ​individuals​ ​and​ ​organisations​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​more​ ​social Challenges

Opportunities

Getting​ ​more​ ​people​ ​behind​ ​the​ ​campaign

Making​ ​it​ ​easier​ ​for​ ​people​ ​to​ ​support​ ​with ‘But​ ​Social​ ​Bristol’​ ​branding​ ​for​ ​eg.

Getting​ ​more​ ​buy​ ​in​ ​from​ ​key​ ​local​ ​players and​ ​influential​ ​stakeholders

More​ ​networking​ ​events​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​together​ ​key and​ ​relevant​ ​stakeholders​ ​around​ ​themes

Ongoing​ ​challenge​ ​of​ ​more​ ​mainstreaming​ ​of the​ ​movement​ ​needed

More​ ​awareness​ ​raising​ ​needed​ ​throughout the​ ​year​ ​of​ ​buy​ ​social​ ​campaigns

No​ ​current​ ​economic​ ​development​ ​strategy focussing​ ​on​ ​this​ ​issue

Engage​ ​City​ ​Office​ ​and​ ​WECA​ ​to​ ​explore how​ ​to​ ​incorporate​ ​buy​ ​social​ ​campaigns​ ​into economic​ ​strategies

Upskilling​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​to​ ​better​ ​market their​ ​products​ ​and​ ​services

Opportunity​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​to develop​ ​relevant​ ​skills

Getting​ ​through​ ​to​ ​and​ ​engaging​ ​the collective​ ​buying​ ​power​ ​of​ ​public​ ​and​ ​private sectors

Increasing​ ​more​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​into​ ​supply chains​ ​through​ ​buy​ ​social​ ​corporate challenge​ ​and​ ​social​ ​value​ ​purchasing policies

Action

Why?

Who?

When?

Promote​ ​more awareness​ ​of​ ​social enterprise​ ​and​ ​the buy​ ​social​ ​campaigns

To​ ​encourage increased​ ​levels​ ​of engagement​ ​and participation

ALL SEUK Voscur BCC

ASAP

Encourage​ ​more social​ ​enterprises​ ​to buy​ ​from​ ​each​ ​other

Build​ ​credibility​ ​and build​ ​collective buying​ ​power

ALL Trade​ ​Association

ASAP

Host​ ​more​ ​public events​ ​like​ ​Social Enterprise​ ​Saturday throughout​ ​the​ ​year

To​ ​encourage increased​ ​levels​ ​of engagement​ ​and participation​ ​and purchases

BCC Voscur UnLtd SEUK

ASAP

Encourage​ ​social enterprises​ ​to​ ​upskill their​ ​marketing abilities

To​ ​better​ ​position themselves​ ​to promote​ ​and​ ​acquire customers

SSE Voscur UnLtd

ASAP

Special​ ​thanks​ ​for​ ​contributions​ ​made​ ​by​ ​representatives​ ​by​ ​the​ ​following organisations:

Social​ ​Economy​ ​West​ ​-​ ​Collaborative​ ​Action​ ​Plan Facilitated​ ​and​ ​co-authored​ ​by​ ​Karl​ ​Belizaire Chair​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Social​ ​Enterprise​ ​Group​ ​of​ ​the West​ ​of​ ​England​ ​Local​ ​Enterprise​ ​Partnership