Social enterprises are active all over the world. And in more and more places, governments are supporting this movement. In particular, Social Enterprise NL engages with the European Union's (EU) Social Business Initiative, the EU and OECD's Better Entrepreneurship Policy Tool, UK policy and the global Social Enterprise World Forum.

EU: Social Business Initiative

The European Union has been promoting social entrepreneurship since 2011 through the Social Business Initiative (SBI). The SBI has five pillars: Access to finance, Access to markets, Improving framework conditions, Social innovation, technologies and new business models andInternational dimension. Under the pillars are numerous measures, from mapping studies to guarantee schemes. These guarantee schemes make it easier for banks to offer financing to social enterprises. In the Netherlands, Triodos Bank has used such a guarantee scheme. An expert group (GECES) advises the European Commission on the SBI. Social Enterprise NL is a member of this expert group.

EU en OECD: Better Entrepreneurship Policy Tool

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) considers social enterprises important for 'addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges while fostering inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and social inclusion.' Through publications and research, the OECD aims to support policymakers in 'designing and implementing effective policies and support frameworks conducive to social enterprise development.'In 2018, the OECD, together with the European Commission, released the Better Entrepreneurship Policy Tool out. This tool helps in drafting policies for social enterprises.

The United Kingdom: leader in policy

The United Kingdom has traditionally been at the forefront of social enterprise policy. In 2002, for example, the Blair government published the policy document Social Enterprise. A strategy for success. Well-known policy instruments also include the Social Value Act, Community Interest Company, Big Society Capitalen Social Investment Act. Scotland has its own social enterprise policy, in 2016 the Scottish government published Scotland’s Social Enterprise Strategy 2016-2026.

Social Enterprise World Forum: global network

The Social Enterprise World Forum attracts more than a thousand people each year from around the world, from South Korea to New Zealand. They gather to exchange knowledge about social entrepreneurship. The Social Enterprise World Forum gives a face to the international movement of entrepreneurs, financiers, networks and governments working towards a better ecosystem for social enterprise. Social Enterprise NL provides regular contributions to this initiative.

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