How EU funds have supported Social Enterprise development in

Bristol

Elaine FlintDirector, Social Enterprise Works

elaine@socialenterpriseworks.org

Range of programmes

• Equal C3 programme – for competitive, confident and credible third sector 2003 – 2008.

• ERDF programme: Bristol Means Business 2001 - 2004• Highlights: Providing a more intensive and enhanced

business support offer to potential entrepreneurs in the Objective 2 area of Bristol (which comprises the Ashley, Easton, Filwood, Lawrence Hill, and Windmill Hill wards)

• ERDF Programme Enterprising People 2005-2006• Highlights:To encourage more unemployed/under-

employed people to consider self employment and business start-up options through providing co-ordinated and locally-based enterprise outreach and support services

What was particularly good about these programmes?

• Build broad partnership of local providers• Built on existing contacts and knowledge

of need• Close match with Neighbourhood Renewal

programmes• Strong accountable lead – Business West

(ERDF)and Bristol City Council (Equal)

More recently -

ERDF Urban Enterprise (Round 1) Oct 2010 – Aug 2012

Complex programme – regional delivery based on OJEU tendering, match from SW RDA and Bristol City Council, based on Strategic Investment Framework published by Bristol City Council 2008.

For social enterprise delivery – there were layers of sub-contracting, high management costs, reduction of funding to frontline deliverers.

Which meant..

• Total spend on social enterprise development 2010-2012 £204,350

• £130,000 to frontline delivery agencies plus £30,000 for specialist support through development vouchers.

• No further investment by Bristol City Council to support social enterprise development after August 2012

What the work delivered

30 new social enterprises incorporated delivering social benefit

74 new jobs created & 112 jobs safeguarded

38 existing social enterprises supported to grow

£953,868 value added to Bristol’s economy.

100% satisfaction rate.

But – going forward

• Local delivery agencies are not able to find cash match and to have the scale of bid demanded by DCLG to draw down more ERDF.

• Support initiatives limited – national programmes such as School for Social Entrepreneurs, Unltd, Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards.

• Lots of interest in social enterprise from the West Local Enterprise Partnership – lots of demand for support from social enterprises.