Social Enterprise

What is a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is a business which has a social or environmental purpose. Some case studies of social enterprises in Edinburgh are listed in the download area at the foot of this page.

What are the benefits of social enterprises?

Social enterprises provide some of the following benefits:

• Promote community regeneration
• Deliver quality social care for target client groups
• Recycle and minimise waste
• Create training and employment opportunities for people with support needs

How do social enterprises work?

Unlike commercial businesses, social enterprises aim to generate added social value and invest profits back into the business (rather than distribute them to shareholders).

How we can help

• Promote what our local social enterprises are doing
• Encourage people to make use of their services
• Ensure social enterprises get the help they need
• Support the set up of new social enterprises

For specialist help

Social Enterprise Edinburgh delivery partners:

Forth Sector
T: 0131 659 4740
E: see@forthsector.org.uk

Postal address:
Social Enterprise Edinburgh c/o Forth Sector Development,
SPACE,
11 Harewood Road,
Edinburgh
EH16 4NT

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
Maureen Munro
T: 0131 221 3198
E: maureen.munro@edinburghchamber.co.uk
 
Postal address:
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce,
Capital House,
2 Festival Square,
Edinburgh
EH3 9SU

Social Enterprise Case Studies (Edinburgh) (367 kB)