Social Enterprise

Social enterprises are businesses that are changing the world for the better. Like traditional businesses they aim to make a profit but it’s what they do with their profits that sets them apart – reinvesting or donating them to create positive social change.

During this last year we have seen a stream of social enterprises starting up in Aberdeenshire. Many people are looking to address their work/life balance by starting up an entrepreneurial business. Some of these businesses become social enterprises and take the legal form of Sole Trader, Community Interest Company, Company Limited by Guarantee or a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to name a few.

But what is a Social Enterprise?
A Social Enterprise is an organisation that is carrying out some form of trading whether it be with goods or services. The difference between a Social Enterprise and a charity is that Social enterprises aspire to generate an independent income generation and are nor reliant on funding. Key components of a social enterprise include:

• Developed with strong social and/or environmental purposes at its core
• Having an Asset Lock that ensures any profit is reinvested into the organisation.
• A dissolution clause that stipulates that on wind up assets are transferred to a similar organisation with similar social
• An aspiration for financial independence through income generated trading.

Business Support – one to on support for start-ups Social Enterprises from our Social Enterprise Development Officer, Aileen Longino. We will help you explore and decide if your idea could be a social enterprise and support you choosing the right governance model to make this a reality while strengthening your understanding as to what your business can do.

Capacity Building – We will help you connect with like-minded businesses and the wider Aberdeenshire Social Enterprise network. Signposting you through regular newsletters and events using successful case studies and specific stakeholders and partnerships who can help you on your journey as well as sharing training and upskilling opportunities with you.

Development – If you run an existing Social Enterprise we can help you grow through funding and/or investment routes working with specialist stakeholders who will help you to make that next step. Support through social buying and procurement could give your business the boost you need. We can make sure you have the best practice in place to achieve this pulling in other AVA specialists e.g funding team or financial forecasting support as necessary.

Representation – Here at AVA we can be your ‘voice’ at a strategic level both locally and nationally. We can also keep you up to date on the latest Policies and Bills that effect social enterprises.

AVA have recently developed an Aberdeenshire Social Enterprise Network (SEN) to connect like-minded Social Entrepreneurs. The network meet every 2 months and is currently happening online. If you would like to join the Aberdeenshire SEN you can register here.