BAME strategy launched
21 October 2009
A new strategy to encourage Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities into social enterprise was launched today at an event in London for BAME female entrepreneurs. Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, attended the event.
The strategy sets out ways to challenge the social enterprise movement to connect with BAME social enterprises and entrepreneurs, and was researched and written by the Social Enterprise Coalition in consultation with Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and Voice4Change England. It was funded by the Office of the Third Sector.
Social enterprises are businesses run for social and environmental purposes. There are 62,000 social enterprises in the UK working across many different industries and communities.
Research done by Delta Economics in 2008 found that BAME communities have higher levels of social entrepreneurship than the White community. However, there remains a lack of awareness about social enterprise within BAME communities, and particular challenges that BAME social enterprises can face.
Claire Dove, chair of the Social Enterprise Coalition, launched the strategy by saying: "There are many inspiring and successful BAME social enterprises in the UK working in every sector, from health to employment, from catering to fashion. And there is a wealth of social entrepreneurs in BAME communities who are working every day to pioneer new solutions to often complex issues.
"But there is a need to focus on the particular challenges that BAME entrepreneurs and social enterprises face. Our movement must be diverse and representative of all communities in order to succeed and deliver the positive change we all want to see.
"The strategy we are launching today will enable us to reach out to BAME entrepreneurs so that they understand the opportunities of social enterprise, and to design ways of making sure they can succeed."
Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, said: "I want to ensure that there are opportunities for BAME social entrepreneurs to access the support and advice they need. This sector-wide strategy is a great step towards improving our understanding of the needs of BAME social enterprises and integrating their needs and aspirations into our policy making.
"Social enterprises play a fundamental role in society; transforming communities and improving lives for the better. It is important that people from all backgrounds feel empowered and inspired to get involved in the social enterprise movement."
Saeeda Ahmed, Social Enterprise Ambassador and managing director of Trescom, a social enterprise working in employment and training said: "I welcome a strategy aimed at connecting BAME communities and social enterprise. There are of course challenges for any social entrepreneur, but the rewards more than make up for it. The social enterprise movement is rich and diverse, and the contribution from BAME communities is already very impressive, but it has the potential to be even greater"
Notes to editors
- For further information or to request an interview please contact Caroline Borge, senior press officer at the Social Enterprise Coalition at caroline.borge@socialenterprise.org.uk or call (w) 020 7793 2318 or (m) 0774 369 3040