A social enterprise is a business that trades for a social and/or environmental purpose. Many community food initiatives, like community shops and cafes, become social enterprises and aim to be at least partly self-sufficient.

Guides and toolkits

• Start up business planning (Unltd)
• Business plan (Nesta)
• A business planning guide to developing a social enterprise (Forth Sector 2013)

Unltd also have a learning area with a range of useful articles and resources for social entrepreneurs.

Where to go for more advice

• Just Enterprise: central hub for social enterprise start-up and development support; includes procurement support and learning and development opportunities
• First Port: provides support to start-up social entrepreneurs and social enterprises
• Unltd (The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs): funds and supports social entrepreneurs
• Senscot: an independent network aimed at individuals working in frontline social enterprises in Scotland; they have a Community Food Social Enterprise Network.
• Co-operatives UK: help new-starts get off the ground
• Chamber of Commerce: there are 21 chamber of commerce across Scotland providing a business-to-business support service; you can arrange for an appointment with a business advisor
• Business Gateway:  provides information on business compliance issues such as health and safety or tax; it also runs a number of networking and training opportunities free to businesses.

Resources