Community 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.

Social enterprises are diverse. They include local community enterprises, social firms, mutual organizations such as co-operatives operating nationally or internationally. There is no single legal model for Social enterprise. They include companies limited by guarantee, Community Interest Companies (CIC), industrial provident societies and companies limited by shares; some organizations are unincorporated and others are registered charities.

Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy. By using business solutions to achieve public good, the District subscribes to the notion that social enterprises have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping to create strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.