House of Commons meets the next generation of social entrepreneurs
On the 7th of February some of the country’s most ambitious young people showed MPs exactly what social enterprise is about, at a special House of Commons reception to celebrate, motivate and profile the next generation of social entrepreneurs.
Hosted by Oliver Colville MP, with keynote speech from Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd, and attended by young social entrepreneurs, industry specialists and a range of other delegates, the event highlighted how young people and adults can make real change happen through social enterprise, at a time when the nature of business in today’s society is the subject of much debate.
Spearheaded by community interest company the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO), the event launched the Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ), RIO’s qualification in social enterprise that enables young people and adults to gain accreditation for and demonstrate their skills in ethical business; balancing people, planet and profit for maximum social and environmental impact.
A unique, global qualification that encourages people interested in making positive change, SEQ was piloted with 50 schools in the UK, China and Uganda throughout 2010/11 and has seen 570 teachers, youth workers and young people work with RIO to create a Qualification fit for purpose.
Through taking part in SEQ, learners gain real experience of making money, organising events and building management skills, all the time considering how what they do can make a real difference to the communities around them and beyond. SEQ is available for schools, youth groups and adult training providers internationally to buy and run themselves, linking into the wider SEQ network and social enterprise sector.
Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said, “I am delighted to be meeting young enthusiastic entrepreneurs whose innovative projects have tackled difficult issues in schools and communities. We must harness the energy and innovation of our young people to help create a genuinely sustainable economic and social recovery and I believe that the Social Enterprise Qualification can help unleash this energy and innovation for obvious social good.”
Nick Hurd went on to announce Big Society Capital, “Social enterprises are the key to a more active, fairer and more prosperous society, which is why I want more people to set up and run them. To help people we have set up Big Society Capital, an organisation with up to £600m that will help increase the amount of money going into the social enterprise sector and we will shortly be launching a £10m fund to help social enterprises become more investment ready.”
The Social Enterprise Qualification launch at the House of Commons enabled some of SEQ’s leading young learners to talk directly to those in charge, to show what they are doing directly to make positive changes happen, demonstrate their innovative products and tell their first hand stories of working and thinking in an ethical way.
Says Lindsey Hall, Director of RIO, “The House of Commons reception was a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on social enterprise and on the young people that are currently driving the sector forward, with innovative products and services that make a real social and environmental difference. SEQ is all about providing more people with the opportunity to learn through doing so that working with schools, youth groups, universities and the adult education sector we can build a generation of exciting new social enterpreneurs ready to change the way the world does business.”
Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, has also been supportive of the new Social Enterprose Qualification (SEQ), “ My Department is committed to supporting social enteprise and BIS ministers are working closely with Nick Hurd to develop a support strategy. Increasing knowledge of social enterprise as a business form is a key element and the qualification RIO is launching will clearly support this.”
The aim for RIO’s Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) is that it provides an opportunity for all young people to understand what ethical trading and consumersim are all about. Young people and adults taking part in SEQ will make the social and enviroinmental change important to them whist learning good business skills.
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Real Ideas Organisation SEQ event is an invite only event held on 7th February at the House of Commons. Images from this event will be available from 9th February onwards.
For more information, images or an interview with Lindsey Hall please contact Jemima Taylor on Jemima.Taylor@realideas.org or 01872 275187.
Social Enterprise Qualification: Real Ideas Organisation has developed a new Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) to accredit and encourage people working for positive social change. To achieve the qualification, learners will demonstrate they understand what social enterprise and ethical trading are about, and will develop real new products or services within their school, community or wider marketplace. The qualification will be offered at bronze, silver and silver top-up, linked to the Qualifications Credit Framework in the UK. This structure may need adapting for other countries. www.realideas.org/socialenterprisequalification.
The Real Ideas Organisation works with communities and young people to make real change happen through social enterprise. It offers services and products to schools, local authorities, government departments and national partners which create real and lasting improvement. www.realideas.org