Society faces tough challenges such as poverty, debt, climate change and unemployment at the bottom of the labor market. Municipalities cannot solve these alone. New collaborations are needed. Social enterprises, are natural partners for the government because their primary focus is on addressing these social issues.
More and more municipalities are therefore seeking cooperation with social enterprises. The G40 city network has made social entrepreneurship a spearhead and 28 of the 44 largest municipalities in the Netherlands have various activities and programs to encourage social entrepreneurship. At the same time, various studies show that cooperation does not yet come naturally.
What do we do?
Social Enterprise NL encourages municipalities to promote social entrepreneurship in their region in the following ways, among others:
Bringing government and social enterprises together through a stimulating program and good networking opportunities at the annual Social Enterprise Overheidscongres.
Act as a knowledge holder on social entrepreneurship and adjacent topics for political programs and municipal policies.
Develop training and tools for policymakers to improve collaboration with social entrepreneurs, such as the Pocket book for civil servants.
Giving social entrepreneurs the tools to turn their collaborations with municipalities into win-win partnerships, through the in-depth program Dealing with the congregation and Roadmap.
Via Buy Social linking the demand of buying organizations (such as municipalities) to the supply of social enterprises, for example, through the annual Buy Social XL event.
What do we want to achieve?
Our ultimate goal is to activate municipalities to create incentive policies that increase the impact of social entrepreneurs. Specifically, we would like to see municipalities take the following steps:
Create a point of contact for social enterprises: social enterprises are often sent from 'pillar to post' within a municipality. Therefore, one clear point of contact is essential, for example in the form of a “broker team” that several municipalities are now experimenting with. Connect for definition to the Social Enterprise Code.
Social enterprise procurement: procurement is one of the most important tools for creating social value as well as stimulating the development of social enterprises. This can be done in various ways such as Article 2.82, social return and join Buy Social.
Encourage meetings between regular SMEs and social enterprises: more and more companies want to make a greater social contribution. In doing so, they can benefit from the pioneering work of social enterprises. Ensure that these entrepreneurs meet, for example by organizing meetings on the SDGs.
Commit to outcome financing: social enterprises would like to be a business partner of the municipality and be held accountable for the social results they achieve. Instruments such as Social Impact Bonds and Outcome Funds (see here the Brabant Outcomes Fund) are an important way.
Explore opportunities by impact area: social enterprises are active in various social issues such as circular economy, social real estate, social connection and equity and labor participation. Especially in labor force participation and job placement. social entrepreneurs play an important role. Explore by policy area how to increase the impact of social enterprises.
Do you want to get started on promoting social entrepreneurship as a government agency?
If so, please contact us at info@social-enterprise.nl.
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