Social enterprise

A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.
Source: The Department of Trade and Industry

Bridgend County Borough Council recognises that social enterprises have the potential to play a key role in the regeneration of Bridgend’s disadvantaged communities and is committed to developing the social economy and assisting social enterprises to grow and prosper.

The Social Economy team currently consists of two full time members of staff and one part time secondee from our partner organisation the Wales Co-op Centre. The project is managed by the EDU’s Principal Economic Development Officer - Project Development and Implementation.

Many community and voluntary groups are looking to engage in trading activities to reduce their dependency on grants and donations. Trading successfully as a business will help them to contribute to a more inclusive society and the regeneration of their local communities.

Community Economic Development programme

Supporting social enterprise development
‘A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners’ (The Social Enterprise Strategy for Wales)

The (South East Wales) Community Economic Development Programme is a flexible grant scheme which supports social enterprise projects, and is available in Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen.

The purpose of the Programme is to build sustainable and vibrant communities through the development of community economic activity. The grant fund options are aimed at supporting and developing sustainability within the third sector. A support package is available to provide a business development service of advice, guidance, mentoring, training and development initiatives.

Who is eligible?
The grant funding is available to community based organisations, which generate income through trading, with a legal structure and social objectives.

What support is available?
Revenue and Capital funds are available based on up to 75% of the eligible project costs. Eligible projects could include:

• Purchase of equipment, land and buildings

• Building refurbishment

• Business planning, feasibility studies and marketing strategies

• Staff costs

• Project running costs

Further Information
For further information, please contact the Community Economic Development Programme Team at Bridgend County Borough Council. This scheme has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Carly Mc Creesh - Social Economy Officer
Tel: 01656 815323
Email: carly.mccreesh@bridgend.gov.uk

Tracey Wood – Social Economy Grants and Finance Officer
Tel: 01656 815317
Email: tracey.wood@bridgend.gov.uk