Sheffield City Region is set to benefit from £500,000 new investment in social enterprise thanks to National Lottery support for a community partnership of front line support organisations.
Sheffield Social Enterprise Network has come together with the city region’s Social Enterprise Exchange partners to develop a three year programme of assistance with a total value of £2.2m. The programme, which is also supported by the European Regional Development Fund, will provide business support, networking and small grants for new and existing social enterprises.
Darren Chouings, Chair of Sheffield Social Enterprise Network said: “Sheffield and the city region’s economy and communities will benefit massively from this major boost. We believe social enterprise can help transform the region, where business practices are used to generate income and social and environmental impact. We have some great trailblazers locally that have helped Sheffield gain national recognition as a Social Enterprise City. We want social enterprise to become a mainstream option, delivering huge social, environmental and economic impact for the city region. This new partnership will help make that happen.”
Steve Buckley, Project Director for Social Enterprise Exchange said: “We are delighted to gain the support of The National Lottery Community Fund to extend our partnership and to strengthen our work supporting people and communities through social enterprise. Since the launch of Social Enterprise Exchange in 2016 we have worked with over 500 social entrepreneurs, providing support for start-ups, growth, jobs and social impact. By joining efforts with Sheffield Social Enterprise Network we aim to build on Sheffield’s recognition as a Social Enterprise City to develop an inclusive social economy across the city region.”
