A lot of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network’s activities happen in the ‘foreground’ like our fabulous annual Social Enterprise City Festival; the content we share with over 7,000 subscribers across our platforms; our regular network meetings; our research in to the state of social enterprise in Plymouth; and much more.
BUT we also do a lot of work in the ‘background’ and we think this is no less impactful – it is long-term and about advocating for social enterprise and building an ecosystem for a better future. So we wanted to say a little bit more about this representation, strategic, policy and advocacy work and what impact it has had, is having and will have for our members and Plymouth’s economy more broadly. We think this is important strategic work for our city and our social enterprises. If you want to find out more please get in touch. See below or click here for a summary: PSEN Impact
| Activity | Impact |
| Representation on Resurgam Plymouth plans especially on inclusive economy, Resurgam Charter, Plymouth Growth Board and at Spend4Plymouth strategic planning with Plymouth City Council (PCC) | · Inclusive economics embedded in local strategies
· Social Value in procurement enhanced – leads to more opportunities for Plymouth’s social enterprises · More awareness of Plymouth’s social enterprise sector |
| Advocacy for social enterprise specific business advice with partners such as PCC, HOTSW LEP, Devon County Council. | · Business advice programme via PCC for start-up social enterprises secured
· Groundwork laid for social enterprise advice in Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022 |
| Advocacy with funders and investors such as Rank Foundation, Power to Change, Community Renewal Fund, Community Ownership Fund, Shared Prosperity Fund, Resonance, PCC and via the Plymouth Partners and Funders Forum | · More investment in Plymouth social enterprises = over £8.5 million over eight years
· Rank Foundation announced a three-year investment worth over £1 million for Plymouth’s social enterprises. · Issues relating to social investment raised will lead to better deals in future · Plymouth projects in pipeline for national funding |
| Representation at Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HOTSW LEP) Inclusive Growth Panel | · Inclusive economics embedded in strategies
· Greater awareness of Plymouth’s social enterprise sector regionally |
| Partnership with Social Enterprise UK especially around Community Entrepreneurship Zones (CEZ), Social Enterprise Places. Speaking at All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Enterprise and supporting SEUK with their research and policy work | · Plymouth a case study in CEZ proposal to national government – potential for us to be a zone and attract more support and investment
· More awareness of Plymouth’s social enterprise sector nationally |
| Advocacy and partnerships with University of Plymouth, Marjon, City College Plymouth and Plymouth College of Art on issues such as civic university, virtual internships, knowledge exchange programme and on student experiences/teaching and other events | · Internships delivered for Plymouth social enterprises
· Social enterprise concepts more embedded in University of Plymouth courses · Opportunities for Plymouth social enterprises through City College European programme · More awareness of Plymouth’s social enterprise sector |
| Responding to consultations/strategies such as PCC’s environment plans, Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR), Plymouth Culture Plan, PCC economic policy and strategy, HOTSW LEP Industrial Strategy and via Social Investment Commission | · SITR extended in national budget
· Social enterprise flagged in Plymouth Culture Plan as opportunity for future · Social enterprise concepts and inclusive growth embedded in local and regional strategies · Issues relating to social investment raised will lead to better deals in future |
| Ongoing work with local partners such as with POP on SIMPL project, with RIO on State of Us events, information sharing with Chamber of Commerce/FSB and others, EU application with City College | · Social enterprise concepts embedded in events
· Better partnerships leads to more opportunities for Plymouth’s social enterprises · More awareness of Plymouth’s social enterprise sector · EU funding secured – project will provide opportunities for social enterprises in Plymouth |
| Attendance and speaking at international social enterprise events such as Social Enterprise World Forum, Estonia national event and ongoing contact and work with SEUK and British Council | · More awareness of Plymouth’s social enterprise sector internationally
· Keeps spotlight on Plymouth and will provide opportunities for social enterprises in future |