COSMIC Julie Harris

Introduction to ICT Social Enterprises

“Social enterprises are profit-making businesses set up to tackle a social or environmental need.”

Social Enterprise Coalition

What is a Social Enterprise?

‘Social enterprises are businesses 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.'

DTI : Social Enterprise: a strategy for success 2001

Who do they benefit?

• Communities – local, regional, national, international, COI, online, specialist. e.g. rural communities and the VCOs working in them

• People – staff and volunteers, clients, organisations, wider society, economy

• Environment – working on triple-bottom-line : financial, social and environmental benefits

ICT Social Enterprise Examples

• COSMIC – www.cosmic.org.uk • Electroville – www.electroville.org.uk • AfL – www.afl.org.uk (ICT projects)

• SCIP – www.scip.org.uk • Digital Umbrella – www.digitalumbrella.co.uk • Bristol Wireless - www.bristolwireless.net

Setting up ICT Social Enterprise

• Mission – business + social benefits of technology

• Values – clear ethos• Social Objectives – clear and smart• Social Accounts – be accountable!• Legal Structure – Ltd Co., Charity, CIC, Co-

op, Trust, Community Business• But most of all …. People and Passion –

skills plus motivation to make a difference!

Social Enterprises delivering ICT Services

• Current research undertaken• Case studies of 12 organisations across UK• Study of USA comparisons and contrasts• Key findings being drawn together• Publication early April 08

• Why ICT Social Enterprise for VCOs – • Ability to work with VCOs in addressing barriers – access to

services, communications, promotion, collaboration (online)• Smaller organisations are catered for that would not otherwise

be• Collaboration within communities – e.g. schools, village halls,

VCOs, local groups – all with social purposes• ICT services are better delivered by independent specialist

second tier organisations – understanding the needs of VCOs – able to ‘go the extra mile’ to be with them

• There is room for social enterprises to form partnerships with private sector providers – leverage for additional support and subsidies to organisations – sponsorship, volunteering, promotion.

COSMIC as a Social Enterprise• Strong sense of ethos and values• Social objectives –

– To develop and provide a wide range of high quality ICT training and support to those people who need it most

– To help local organisations and businesses make the most of ICT for economic and social benefit

– To provide high quality local employment and to be a good employerwith a supportive structure in a productive working environment

– To develop and implement ethical working practices in all areas of our operation

• Social accounts – audited and published, continuous involvement of stakeholders

• Annual review of strategy and business plans

Social Enterprise Mark • South West initiative – but with national potential• Three year pilot with BASIS funding• Provide a strong brand for Social Enterprises • Raise public awareness and inform ethical

purchasing decisions

Social Enterprise Ambassadors

• There are 30 ambassadors across UK • Experienced and inspirational people who lead

social enterprise• Promote the use of business to tackle social

and/or environmental issues.

• www.socialenterpriseambassadors.org

Contact Details

COSMICwww.cosmic.org.uk

Julie Harrisjulie@cosmic.org.uk

www.swict.wordpress.com – SW Regional ICT Champion Blog

www.socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/harris- Ambassadors Blog

www.linkedin.com/in/cosmicjulie - more about me!