This document discusses the EU's Social Business Initiative and the opportunities it presents for social enterprises in Ireland. The initiative includes an 11-point plan to make it easier for social enterprises to access funding, increase their visibility, and improve the legal environment. It recognizes the role social enterprises can play in promoting inclusive growth. The initiative provides funding opportunities and means for Irish social enterprises to collaborate with European counterparts and influence how EU funds are allocated.

1. EU Social Enterprise Policy –
A golden opportunity for Ireland
Tom Daly.
TSA Consultancy.
1 ACTION - Dunhill 22-6-2012

2. EU Social Enterprise Policy – A golden
opportunity for Ireland
Topics:-
2. EU Policy Context.
3. The Social Business Initiative (11
point plan)
4. Opportunities.
2 ACTION - Dunhill 22-6-2012

3. EU Policy Context.
 EU White Paper 1993: Growth,
Competitiveness & Employment, recognised
the potential of the Social Economy to create
3M new jobs.
 EU 2020 Plan. highlights social
economy, social enterprise and social
entrepreneurship.
3 ACTION - Dunhill 22-6-2012

4. EU Policy Context.
“a new model for economic growth”:-
 Smart growth (social innovation)
 Sustainable growth (environmental impact)
 Inclusive growth (people and social cohesion)
4 ACTION - Dunhill 22-6-2012

5. EU Policy Context
 “Crisis calls for social innovation - no more
business as usual”
 Social economy is already an important
actor:
• 2 million social enterprises in the EU
• Employs 11 million (6% of all)
• 1 of 4 new companies are social
enterprises
5 ACTION - Dunhill 22-6-2012

6. Social Business Initiative.
 SBI was Launched by EU Commission &
Conference 18th Nov 2011 .
 Commission President ~ José Manuel
Barroso ~ “ the EU can help foster the
sectors further development”.
 Commissioner Michel Barnier (internal
markets) ~ “ the crisis ..is linked with the
travesty of liberalism.. we need a new
model that includes the social market.”
6 ACTION - Dunhill 22-6-2012

7. Social Business Initiative.
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8. Social Business Initiative.
 ISSUE:-
– Europe 2020: Growth with Inclusive Society.
– Social Enterprises have a fundamental role to
play – promote social cohesion.
– SBI will support Creation and Development of
social enterprises.
– One out of four new business start-up is a social
business.
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9. Social Business Initiative.
11 actions, across three themes.
– Make it easier for SE to obtain funding
– Increase the visibility of SE
– Make the legal environment friendlier for SEs
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10. Social Business Initiative.
A) Make it easier for SE to obtain funding.
 EU regulatory framework for Ethical
Investment Funds.
 Encourage development of micro credit.
 Set a new €90 Million EU Finance
Instrument for SE Investment (kick start).
 Make SE an Investment Priority for the
ERDF regional development fund. and ESF European social fund. 2014-2020
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11. Social Business Initiative.
B) Increase the visibility of SE
 Establish Register database of SEs.
 Create database of labels (Quality Marks)
 Help national governments to assist SEs.
 Create Information Exchange Platform.
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12. Social Business Initiative
C) Make the legal environment friendlier for
SEs
 EU statute for creation of European wide;
Co-op, Foundation and Mutual.
 Ease Public Procurement Rules for SEs
 Simplify rules for public aid to social/local
services.
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13. Opportunities.
 The SBI is a clear signal and the most
significant to date from EU.
 Recognition for Social Enterprises, at last!
 Availability of Investment Finance via private
social venture capital funds and social
investment funds.
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14. Opportunities.
 SE investment funds will be included in the
EU European Progress Microfinance
Facility.
 Public Procurement ~ social clause may be
allowed such as Social Impact Quality Mark
requirement (which would help SEs).
 EU Education exchanges will include SE.
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15. Opportunities.
 Ireland has a window of opportunity for Irish
Social Enterprises to:-
– Cross Boarders, learn from and get assistance
from European SEs.
– Influence how ERDF and ESF funds are directed
for 2014-2020 period.
– Come together - dare to be innovative.
– Seek private social finance / venture capital for
large scale projects.
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16. EU Social Enterprise Policy – a golden opportunity for Ireland
Many Thanks.
EU Social Business Initiative.
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