Social 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 profits for shareholders and owners.

Cumbria County Council leads the Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership comprising social enterprises, development trusts, support agencies, local government, regeneration companies and other stakeholders. There aims are to:

• increase the formation, growth and survival rates of social enterprises 
• improve information and communication between and outside the social enterprise sector 
• grow market opportunities  

The partnership provides training grants to build skills and knowledge within social enterprise many of whom require such training to meet legal requirements. In addition to ad hoc training the partnership also looks to provide coaching and mentoring where appropriate.

Membership of the Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership is open to every social enterprise in Cumbria. For more information and to enquire about membership visit http://www.socialenterpriseincumbria.org/.