Social Economy Enterprise Strategy Response

2.1. NICVA welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Social Economy Enterprise (SEE) Strategy 2009-2011. Research by NICVA published in “State of the Sector V” puts a value of around £290m worth of
income from trading activity of one kind or another in the voluntary and community sector. This represents 53% of the total income to the sector in 2006/2007.
2.2. It is clear that funding from social economy activity will need to increase in the coming years if the voluntary and community sector is to sustain and grow its activity in light of reducing income from grantmaking
sources which accounted for 33% of income in 2006/2007. The overall turnover of the voluntary and community sector in this period was £570m.
2.3. NICVA therefore welcomes the continued desire for the Northern Ireland Executive to sustain and grow SEE activity which most voluntary and community organisations can have an opportunity to
engage in.
2.4. NICVA believes the Social Entrepreneurship Programme and the Rural Development Programmes will make valuable contributions to the development of the social economy enterprise sector. There are
other programmes mentioned in the plan that will make a more indirect impact on the SEE strategy but it has been helpful to see these also referenced in the plan.
2.5. For our part NICVA will encourage the voluntary and community sector to engage more in social economy enterprise activity and provide advice, training and signposting on the same via our fundraising advice service where relevant. NICVA will also continue to work with the SEN and other social economy agencies to ensure information and advice is available to the voluntary and community sector.
2.6. NICVA recently provided evidence to the DFP committee on Public Procurement which is very relevant to this SEE Consultation so we have provided it as an Appendix and the end of this document.

Download the Draft Response below