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Social Enterprises

Social enterprises are businesses that are set up to achieve a social or environmental mission. They are driven by a desire to have a positive impact on society, rather than by the pursuit of profit for shareholders. In the United Kingdom, social enterprises can be structured in a variety of ways, including as cooperatives, charitable organizations, or for-profit companies with a social purpose.

Some examples of social enterprises in the UK include:

  1. The Eden Project is a charitable organization that runs a visitor attraction in Cornwall, England, focused on promoting sustainable living. It also operates a range of social and environmental projects around the world.
  2. The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless or vulnerably housed individuals, with the aim of helping them to earn a legitimate income and break the cycle of poverty. The company is structured as a social business, with surpluses being reinvested to support the magazine's social mission.
  3. The Co-op Group is a consumer cooperative that operates a range of businesses, including food stores, funeral homes, and legal services. It is owned by its members and has a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
  4. Traidcraft is a fair trade organization that works with small-scale producers in developing countries to sell their products in the UK. It operates as a social enterprise, with profits being reinvested to support the company's social and environmental goals.
  5. The Social Investment Business is a nonprofit organization that provides finance and support to social enterprises and charities in the UK. It aims to use the power of finance to drive social and environmental change.

See also

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