Bite-sized stories this week: Businesses pledge big at climate talks, UK construction firm Wates hits £20m social spending target, a new law in Cyprus, grants windfall for Irish projects and a market first in recycled materials for water company Belu.
INNOVATION FOCUS: Even with growing momentum behind using procurement for good, securing public sector contracts is elusive for most social enterprises. Can a startup help?
Bite-sized stories this week include record interest in B Corp certification, a big commitment to buy social, latest research on giving to charity, and new hires at Social Investment Scotland.
Representatives from 20 European countries have sent a wishlist to the newly-elected European Parliament, calling for a doubled budget, a new visibility campaign and tighter procurement rules.
Fifteen UK companies have now committed to choosing social enterprise suppliers for at least a small portion of their spending. What’s been the impact so far – and what’s next?
Plymouth became a ‘Social Enterprise City’ in 2013 – a badge that’s helped shift social enterprise from fringe to forefront. But there’s more work to be done.
Talking about impact is all very well, but social enterprises only achieve that impact when the markets are there. Three ways to stimulate the multi-billion pound opportunity offered by Britain's corporates.
The Buy Social Corporate Challenge aims to get leading corporates to spend £1bn on social enterprises by 2020. Social Enterprise UK's Nick Temple explains more following yesterday's launch in Downing Street.
