Financial Boost for Social Economy

NICVA's social economy conference was the setting for a major announcement from the DETI yesterday (Wednesday 22 January 2003) at the Europa Hotel. The department introduced a four year financial package to support the Social Economy Agency. This means a comprehensive development programme can be put in place to boost social enterprise in Northern Ireland

The conference examined the potential of the Social Economy for regenerating communities in Northern Ireland. Over 300 delegates from the voluntary and community, private and public sectors attended. The event was organised by NICVA in association with DETI, and supported by Cater Allen Bank.

Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA, said: "Most people in Northern Ireland probably have never heard of the Social Economy, but many will have come across a Credit Union or a Housing Association and some will have eaten in a restaurant or cafe that is operated on a not-for-profit basis as a social enterprise, providing specialised employment or training. We want to get the message across that organisations which operate as businesses, but with a social or ethical purpose, have a huge role to play in creating local employment and regenerating local communities. We particularly welcome the fact that government in Northern Ireland is now taking a strategic approach to the development of this Cinderella sector".

Key Speakers:

The main speakers on the day were Ian Pearson, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; Stephen Timms, DTI Minister for E Commerce and Competitiveness and Mark Rosenman, Vice President for Social Responsibility at Union Institute Washington DC.

Other speakers at the conference outlined examples of social economy in other parts of the UK, including Stephen Sears, Chief Executive of Ealing Community Transport and Mark Powell, Chief Executive of IMBY, which coordinates the work of Social Firms UK in the North of England.

Main Conference Speeches:

• Ian Pearson
• Stephen Timms
• Mark Rosenman