Useful Social Economy Links

On this page you will be able to connect to social economy-related websites, either based in BC, in other parts of Canada, or internationally.

BC Links

Links to BC websites can be found using the map of the BC social economy, which was part of the BCSER’s foundational work. This BC map is an online inventory of the leading individuals, organizations, social enterprises, resources and information that make up the social economy in this province. Search through the “online map” map to connect to the scope and potential of BC’s social economy. Click here to explore the map.

Canadian Links

Canadian Social Economy Hub (CSEHub)
The CSEHub acts as a facilitator for the Canadian Social Economy Suite, promoting collaboration among six regional research centres across Canada (Québec, Atlantic, Southern Ontario, Prairies, Alberta, BC and the North), and creating opportunities and exchanges with international networks. CSEHub reaches out to practitioners, to researchers and to civil society, through the regional research centres and their community partners. It undertakes research as needed in order to understand and promote the Social Economy tradition within Canada and as a subject of academic enquiry within universities.

InfoEntrepreneurs.org
The Government of Canada has compiled a list of resources under their Info For Enterpreneurs website for social economy financing and technical resources.

Making It Green
The Southern Ontario Social Economy Research Node has compiled a list of useful checklist for event and conference organizers to live what they preach about supporting sustainability, environmental friendliness and the social economy.

SME Direct
SME Direct is a small business website that serves as a one-stop shop for all your small business needs. Diagnostic and benchmarking tools, informative websites, relevant databases and a wealth of other resources are provided to assist small and medium enterprises and their decision-making.

Government Links

Economic Development Canada (DEC)

FedNor

Directory of Social Economy, Volunteer & Business Associations (Industry Canada)
This online directory is a centrally maintained searchable database of 6,000 Canadian membership organizations in all sectors of the economy. Included are Canadian organizations operating on a membership basis that engage in promoting the civic, social, professional or business interests of their members, and may undertake specific business functions, such as common marketing or joint advertising.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
HRSDC (formerly Social Development Canada) is developing the longer-term strategy for the social economy, focusing on the establishment of a broader policy framework for the Government of Canada.

Western Economic Development Canada (WD)

International Links

Creative Economy, (UK)
The website of the UK Government Department for Culture, Media & Sport's Creative Economy Programme. The programme aims to make Britain the "world's creative hub", and will look at seven key areas: skills and education, competition and intellectual property, technology, business support and access to finance, diversity, infrastructure and evidence. The cultural sector is in many ways a bellwether/microcosm of the greater economy, containing both mainstream for-profit busineses like the film and recording industries, nonprofit organizations and enterprises, and individual freelancers who work in many segments of the sector (and outside it). 

Community Action Network (UK)
CAN is the UK's leading organisation for the development, promotion and support of social entrepreneurs.

i-genuis (UK)
i-genius is a world community of social entrepreneurs and seeks to inspire a new generation of social innovators, social business and social enterprise.

The Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (US)
The Institute for Social Entrepreneurs provides education, training and consulting services for social entrepreneurs in the United States and abroad.

More for Your Money: A guide to procuring from social enterprises
The Social Enterprise Coalition (UK) and the New Economics Foundation have produced this short guide for public sector purchasers to achieve better outcomes from public sector procurement and how social enterprises can help in achieving this.

Nonnprofit Enterprise and Self-sustainability Team
NESsT is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to finding lasting solutions to systemic poverty and social injustice through the development of social enterprises.

REVES (European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy)
REVES is a unique European network that brings together Local Authorities and Social Economy Actors in order to create stable partnerships and common policies for a socially sustainable local development and social inclusion. In Europe, cities are key champions of social economy.

Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition
The Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition is a collective lobbying and campaigns voice for social enterprise in Scotland. It is a membership-led organization representing the needs and interests of social enterprise to politicians, policy makers and opinion formers.

Social Economy Bristol (UK)
The social economy sector of Bristol is a thriving and innovative movement and an important part of the city's economy. It is made up of organisations which are run on a 'not for personal profit' basis.

Social Enterprise Alliance (US)
Social Enterprise Alliance is the association of individuals and organizations building effective, more sustainable nonprofits through earned income strategies.

Social Enterprise Coalition (UK)
SEC is the UK's national body for social enterprise. The voice for the sector, we support and represent the work of our members, influence national policy and promote best practice.

The World Challenge (UK)
The World Challenge is a global competition that seeks out projects and businesses that not only make a profit, but also put something back into the community. The World Challenge 2007 is currently underway and is brought to you by BBC World, Newsweek and Shell.