BELFAST City Council is running a new business programme for individuals or groups in the city who want to explore the potential of becoming a social enterprise.
Now open for recruitment, the Social Economy Outreach Programme will run from February to December 2013, and will support 10 groups in Belfast who want to become social entrepreneurs.
The programme will include one-to-one mentoring and tailored workshops focusing on the rewards of becoming a social enterprise with training taking place in two existing social enterprises in the city – the Ashton Centre in north Belfast and the East Belfast Mission (Skainos Centre).
Included in the programme is a workshop focusing on the transition of a voluntary or charity group becoming a social enterprise by putting in place the legal structures and business models that could work for them. Guidance will also be given on defining the social business’ mission statement and core values.
The successful groups will take part in a visit to Derry/Londonderry, the City of Culture for 2013, and one lucky participant will also have the opportunity to set up their social enterprise at either e3 or Work West Social Economy Village for a year. The programme is being delivered for the council by Work West Enterprise Agency.
Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, said: “The Social Economy Outreach Programme links with the council’s Investment Programme for 2012-15 and the strand within it recognising the council’s pledge to help up to 60 community organisations explore the potential of becoming social economy enterprises.
“The programme is very important for budding entrepreneurs or charity or community organisations in Belfast with enterprise ideas, who want to explore the opportunities of becoming a social enterprise.”
To apply for the programme and an application form, contact Belfast City Council on 028 9027 0229 or email lynnr@belfastcity.gov.uk . The closing date for applications is January 31, 2013.
The Social Economy Outreach Programme is part funded by the council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
BELFAST City Council is running a new business programme for individuals or groups in the city who want to explore the potential of becoming a social enterprise.
Now open for recruitment, the Social Economy Outreach Programme will run from February to December 2013, and will support 10 groups in Belfast who want to become social entrepreneurs.
The programme will include one-to-one mentoring and tailored workshops focusing on the rewards of becoming a social enterprise with training taking place in two existing social enterprises in the city – the Ashton Centre in north Belfast and the East Belfast Mission (Skainos Centre).
Included in the programme is a workshop focusing on the transition of a voluntary or charity group becoming a social enterprise by putting in place the legal structures and business models that could work for them. Guidance will also be given on defining the social business’ mission statement and core values.
The successful groups will take part in a visit to Derry/Londonderry, the City of Culture for 2013, and one lucky participant will also have the opportunity to set up their social enterprise at either e3 or Work West Social Economy Village for a year. The programme is being delivered for the council by Work West Enterprise Agency.
Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, said: “The Social Economy Outreach Programme links with the council’s Investment Programme for 2012-15 and the strand within it recognising the council’s pledge to help up to 60 community organisations explore the potential of becoming social economy enterprises.
“The programme is very important for budding entrepreneurs or charity or community organisations in Belfast with enterprise ideas, who want to explore the opportunities of becoming a social enterprise.”
To apply for the programme and an application form, contact Belfast City Council on 028 9027 0229 or email lynnr@belfastcity.gov.uk . The closing date for applications is January 31, 2013.
The Social Economy Outreach Programme is part funded by the council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
