Social Enterprise World Forum September 10-14, 2018 Scotland

 
Earlier this year I had the privilege of attending the Social Enterprise World Forum in Scotland.  It was the tenth anniversary of this event, first held in Scotland in 2008. Since then it has been held around the world.  This year there was a two-day Academic Symposium in Glasgow preceding the main event in Edinburgh.  I attended both.  The Academic Symposium had 100 delegates from around the world and the World Forum had 1200 attendees from almost every country on the planet!  The forum was an opportunity to network, share stories, learn, reflect on the last ten years of social enterprise development and look towards the future of this movement and its role in addressing the complex challenges we as a world collectively face.  
 
I was particularly interested in learning how other parts of the world utilize social enterprise in community economic development specifically in rural areas, similar to Northern Ontario. I was inspired and learned a lot but want to share three key takeaways.  In Scotland they actively invest in and support the commons and community ownership, including co-operatives. This is backed by both policy and capital from the Scottish Government and implemented by economic development organizations similar to our Community Futures Development Corporations. Check out the Highlands and Islands Enterprise webpage at www.hie.co.uk  to read about some of the interesting work they have done in rural Scotland.
 
There is a growing interest in hybrid social enterprises and their contribution to social impact. We, as a society are facing social, political, and environmental upheaval. The list of issues that need to be addressed is long and the window of opportunity is diminishing. Making the impact is what is important and getting mired in precise definitions, entrepreneurial stages and legal forms can limit potential positive change. Hybrid social enterprises are ignoring traditional start up phases and definitions and making an impact. One example is private entrepreneurs starting social enterprises and then training the community to take them over. This model is gaining momentum particularly in rural areas around the globe.
 
And lastly, for your 2019 reading list I encourage everyone to read Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics. This book was widely cited during the Academic Symposium and it presents an alternative economic model that would allow all of us, (other species and ecosystems included), sharing this beautiful planet to thrive while living within the carrying capacity of the earth. 
 
I encourage anyone with an interest in social entrepreneurship to attend the Social Enterprise World Forum. You will come away inspired.  The forum will be in Ethiopia in 2019 but rumour has it that it could be coming to Canada in 2020!
 
 

The Fair Finance Fund

Small flock chicken coop? Incubator farm? Local pizza and brewery? Community cannery? Co-operative abattoir? All the dreams of new local food and farm social enterprises just got closer to reality.
 
The Fair Finance Fund (“Fund”) is a non-profit social finance fund dedicated to providing loans and mentorship services to local food and farm enterprises that value strong local food systems, local economies, and a healthy planet. The Fair Finance Fund builds on seed capital to implement an ongoing investment opportunity for community-minded investors, that is, individuals who want to invest their capital to build local food systems in Ontario to support food that is grown, raised and processed in their own backyards.
 
The Fair Finance Fund:

• Strengthens and expands regional local food systems across Ontario
• Creates equitable access to capital for social enterprises in Ontario’s food system
• Supports food and farm enterprises offering social, environmental and community benefits
• Improves rural economies through job creation and circulating money in local communities
• Provides a vehicle for people to invest in their beliefs

• Standard interest rate of 6%
• Five and ten year terms
• No security requirement on smaller loans; may be considered on larger loans depending on application
• Flexibility in terms (option for grace period, for instance)

Investment program

• Community bonds with a par value of $5000 at 2-3% variable interest rate for five or ten year terms. This offering is available to all investors (including non-accredited investors).
• Community bonds with a par value of $50,000  for ten year terms at 2-3% variable interest rate. This offering is only available to accredited and institutional investors.
• Interest calculated and paid annually.
• Seed capital is in place as first loss capital for the Fund.
• Commitments to invest will be accepted in year one for year two investments once the initial offering target is reached.

 
If you would like more information as either a potential loan applicant or investor please visit the Fair Finance Fund webpage:  www.fairfinancefund.org or contact the fund at info@fairfinancefund.org
 

Save the Date: Social Enterprise Round Tables

Join us February 27th 2019 in Timmins for our Social Enterprise Roundtable. Learn about social enterprises, discover funding opportunities and create a strategy to develop a social enterprise.

Program:

• Birch Bark Coffee and La Maison Verte share their successes and challenges during our Social Enterprises in the North Panel
• Develop your Social Business Plan in a hands on workshop
• Craft your pitch in the Communicating Your Value Workshop
• Find out about available resources for social enterprises with Soshent Centre for Social Innovation, Pillar Nonprofit Network and the Common Good Solutions & Social Enterprise Institute

Keynote Speaker:

• Barb Stegemann, CEO and Founder of The 7 Virtues

For more information contact Natasha Chalwell at natasha.chalwell@timmins.ca or 705-360-2600 x 7082

Subsidies available for social enterprises.

Students receive 50% off. Contact Natasha for discount code.

Buy Social for the Holidays

Are you spreading the holiday cheer this year? The CCEDNET guide is designed to help extend the reach of that cheer through encouraging thoughtful buying and giving. CCEDNET compiled some creative gift ideas and shopping guides to provide you with the tools and information you need to have a CED-filled holiday season.

Save the Date : Social Enterprise Round Table