Social Enterprise wales Conference 2011 - videos available for viewing

Videos from the Social Enterprise Wales Conference 2011, are now available to view on the Wales Co-operative Centre website.  There is some really inspiring talk from the keynote speakers, including Liam Black, Duncan Goose, and Powys' own Brian Popsys.  There is also footage available from several workshops that took place.   There was a particularly interesting one on Community Shares, which gave the Pengwern Arms in Llan Ffestiniog as an example of what can be achieved.

To view the videos go to:  http://live.walescooperative.org/

Welsh Government Opens £15 Million Economic Growth Fund

The Welsh Government has launched a new £15 million programme, the Wales Economic Growth Fund, designed to help businesses through the prevailing economic downturn.

The initiative is a short-term, fast-track fund for Welsh businesses, providing immediate access to non-repayable capital funding for investments that will create and retain employment opportunities.

A total of £15 million is available through the programme. The minimum funding level is £100,000.

Eligible expenditure can include new investment in capital assets (machinery, computer equipment, buildings etc). Intellectual property bought from a third party, professional fees and other one off costs related to the investment may also be eligible.

Revenue costs associated with the capital investment are also eligible.

Companies that have projects planned to improve productivity and create and maintain jobs may be eligible for support.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2012.

For more details contact:

Tel: 03000 6 03000
E-mail: wegf@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.business.wales.gov.uk/growthfund

(Source:  Grantfinder)

Report details the state of Social Enterprise in 2011 in Britain.

I came across a report whilst researching information for the blog, on the Social Enterprise Coalition website.  The report is titled:  Fightback Britain  - The State of Social Enterprise  Survey 2011 - it makes for interesting reading.
Go to:  http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/advice-support/resources/fightback-britain-report-the-state-social-enterprise-survey-2011  to access the report.

They also have a range of free downloadable resources for groups thinking / doing social enterprise.
Go to:  http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/advice-support/resources?page=1

PAVO SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

PAVO is here to support groups and organisations to achieve their aims and objectives.  Did you know that we can provide support around:

• Start up (Information on structures),
• Support for groups to examine - Social enterprise: is it for you?
• Mentoring and support – to set up a structure which meets the groups’ needs
• Guidance on developing a project
• Support to prepare a business plan
• Funding support – support to develop skills for preparing applications and  managing and monitoring funding
• Support on raising funds, ICT, events etc.
• Support with Tendering applications
• Preparation or amendment of governing documents
• Developing policies and procedures Policies (everything from equalities to safeguarding)
• Providing model policies (everything from equalities to safeguarding)
• Jargon busting
• Support to engage with the community and/ or service users
• Bespoke training
• Access to training
• Advice on volunteering
• Outreach mini events
• Facilitate multi-agency task groups for potential social enterprise initiatives

For more information contact the PAVO Helpdesk on 0845 009 3288 or email:  info@pavo.org.uk

People Who Share

The People Who Share is both a movement and a socially minded business (a social enterprise). They are dedicated to building a world where people share skills, time, resources, knowledge, responsibility, opportunities, ideas, goods, services and stuff.

Follow the link to an interesting article to find out more:

http://thepeoplewhoshare.com/blog-2/

It's an idea, but is it a business?

Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) have published a free guide for groups who are planning to start trading or already do, and plan to use any profits to achieve sustainability or for another charitable purpose. It covers subjects such as getting started, business planning, the role of directors, financial monitoring and much more besides, and is rammed with invaluable advice and guidance. 


To download the guide go to:  http://www.wcva.org.uk/all/dsp_Pub_list.cfm?Publicationid=1340&catid=4&display_sitetextid=167&display_sitedeptid=6

(Source: WCVA)

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Status still to be approved by Parliament

The Charity Commission yesterday blamed Parliament for the ongoing delays in implementing the Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Kenneth Dibble, head of legal services at the Charity Commission, told the Charity Law Association annual conference that the Commission “has been ready for many months” to begin registering CIOs.

“But secondary legislation has to be agreed by Parliament and that is not a matter that is within the Commission’s hands,” he said.

He said the Commission’s latest understanding is that CIOs would be ready to be implemented from spring of next year: “I know that last time we said autumn, and it keeps slipping, but now I’m told it’s next spring.”

He added there was a groundswell of interest in CIOs, and that Jane Ryder at OSCR had told him that the SCIO is starting to prove a valuable model in Scotland.  “I have no doubt that that will happen here too,” Dibble said. 

“I also know that lots of trustees are holding fire on certain proposals while they wait for CIOs to come in, and for the Commission’s part I apologise, but the Commission has been ready for some time for the CIO regime.”

(Source: Civil Society)