UK: Social enterprises run for the 2012 Olympics in London

The UK Government Office of the Third Sector is funding a project to develop the ability of social enterprises to access procurement opportunities for the 2012 Olympic Games. Social Enterprise London and the Social Enterprise Coalition will run the project in partnership, and will work to ensure that Olympic stakeholders and private sector bidders are aware of the value that social enterprises can add to the Olympic legacy.

The two organisations will work on a three-year project for enabling social entrepreneurs to achieve contracts for the 2012 Olympics. A series of events across the UK will give them the opportunity to build business partnerships and share best practice, both within the social enterprise community and with the corporate and public sectors.

In addition a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Olympic network will also be launched to give BAME entrepreneurs a platform for voicing needs and priorities.

Social Enterprise London?s research suggests that social enterprises can deliver in the region of half a billion pounds (725m euro) worth of goods and services before, during and after 2012.

Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise London said: ?We are extremely excited about the scope and impact that this project will have. Not only will it provide a hub for communication and a central point for 2012 policy development, it will also highlight social enterprise best practice and build the evidence base for social impact. We know that social enterprises can deliver at the highest level; it is fantastic to be able to give them a platform to demonstrate this, and to fully engage with the 2012 agenda.?

Notes:
Social Enterprise London (SEL) works to establish London as one of the foremost social enterprise communities. SEL is a specialist agency that promotes community, best practice and skills development for the social enterprise sector. www.sel.org.uk

The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK?s national body for the social enterprise movement, providing a platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise, supporting and representing the work of our members, influencing national policy and promoting good practice. www.socialenterprise.org.uk