The latest Plunkett Weekly News (pdf) for the week ending 04.09.2009 is now online.
Plunkett Foundation News
PLUNKETT PERSPECTIVE
This week’s perspective outlines a unique approach to good customer service.
http://plunkettfoundation.blogspot.com/
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FOLLOW MAKING LOCAL FOOD WORK ON TWITTER
Making Local Food Work now has a Twitter profile. Get the latest tweets from the world of Community Food Enterprise at http://twitter.com/janmlfw
MAKING LOCAL FOOD WORK - TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE
The second Making Local Food Work conference will take place on Wednesday 30th September 2009 at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel. Titled ‘Making Local Food Work: Community Enterprise and the Future of Food’, the event will examine the key role that food-based community enterprises can play in shaping a sustainable, equitable food system for Britain in the future. Speakers include Professor Kevin Morgan, Professor of Governance and Development at Cardiff University, and Dr Tom MacMillan, Director of the Food Ethics Council. Tickets cost £40 + VAT and a limited number of assisted places are available to representatives of community food enterprises. For more information and to book a place, visit the conference page.
http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/conference.cfm?frmAlias=/conference/
Co-operatives and Social Enterprise News
GROUNDBREAKING CARE FARMING INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN WORCESTERSHIRE
Plans have been unveiled for a groundbreaking health and social care innovation which will create a network of working ‘care farms’ across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. Care Farming West Midlands (CFWM) has been set up with investment worth £400,000 from the Advantage West Midlands Rural Regeneration Zone to develop 20 new care farms. Care farms have the dual benefit of developing existing businesses and also providing a positive lifestyle for individuals traditionally excluded from society. These working farms help a variety of individuals including those with special needs, people recovering from substance misuse, experiencing mental health problems and the long-term unemployed. http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/news-media-events/news/2009/08/groundbreaking-care-farming-initiative-launched-in-worcestershire.aspx?tmcsTrackingInfo=$lv_-GiBQMbngvRqbVaNgFSWq3bgxa34ack8W64Zf7CSrhmGLbbD41s7GMtE8Z5WyXKtqR5KrFSSMaRQHBMBYfuKUOeoBxWbEPh8lIVFYq_2PHyzI3dDo9LeCJr7eJ0c-MFycgMTO-IIM4DfjgyD4sw7kMiWBL7PGqt5fndXgWZpsf2IAcDqxipLGIere5w5f05f_wevcG73GQDk9e1GZmaS2h4zScS-Rl31rA99RfGaS1EtyrKPf7kAkHLjZPvHswfVL_sUiMWuilPSgl9QA4Z7vKqdHWXww20Wg48q-ujr2DxNR75L5AJ27wk6TZmVe3FLdOd6nEpblUQPN8rwkN2TqdSVvodpw0wDt2dT7fBFileJW42aLr4$$
©Advantage West Midlands
COMMUNITY SHARES: ROUND TWO APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Community-owned enterprises can now apply to take part in a Government-funded research project which is looking at new ways for social enterprises to attract more funding. The research, announced earlier this year, is examining the potential of community shares and bonds as a way to attract extra investment. This includes inviting ten projects to test the idea, looking at barriers that could restrict their growth and how they can be overcome. Their experiences will be used to benefit future learning. Five organisations will be chosen to take part in the research. Any project, be it a small village shop, a large scale housing development or a community recycling project is eligible to apply providing they are community-owned and work for the benefit of the community. Community-owned enterprises will receive a package of funding and consultancy. Applications are available on http://www.communityshares.org.uk/findoutmore and the deadline for receipt of applications is 21 September 2009
©Co-operatives UK
2ND ANNUAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DAY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
This year, 19th November is Social Enterprise Day: a national day to celebrate and promote social enterprise. To show how social enterprise is more than just business as usual, there is the second annual Social Enterprise Day photography competition for England. The best photograph will show how social enterprise is using business to make positive change. If you work for a social enterprise or maybe you or someone you know has received exceptional service or goods from one - take a photo to demonstrate what makes social enterprise great.
http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/photo-competition-2008.html
© Social Enterprise Coalition
19 AUGUST 2009 AMBASSADORS WEBSITE REVAMPED AND RELAUNCHED
The Social Enterprise Ambassadors programme has been revamped, repackaged and relaunched. New information about the 30 ambassadors and their social enterprises can be found on a redesigned website, packed with news, features and biographies. Ambassador news and events will be regularly updated, so make sure you keep logging on to http://www.socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk
http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/news/news-details?nid=41
© Social Enterprise Ambassadors
Farming and Food
CROFTERS UNITE AGAINST GOVERNMENT REFORMS
Scotland's crofters have condemned government proposals to change their industry as misguided and threatening to their traditional way of life. The Scottish Crofting Foundation (SCF) and NFU Scotland, which represent the 13,000 people who work the land part-time in the Highlands and Islands, have submitted highly critical responses to the government's draft Crofting Reform Bill.
The consultation closed this week after a deluge of criticism from all quarters. Marina Dennis, chair of the SCF working group on reform, warned that the Bill failed to get to grips with what is happening in the industry and doesn't address how to make Crofting pay. Jo Durno, chair of NFU Scotland's Crofting and Highlands and Islands Committee, said the Bill needed significant changes if it was to address the concerns of crofters. http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/13/117162/crofters-unite-against-government-reforms.html
© Farmers Weekly
ONE IN FOUR WON'T RENEW STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENTS
Almost one in four English farmers are unlikely to renew environmental stewardship agreements when they end, suggests a survey. Low support payments and too much paperwork top the reasons among the 23% of farmers who say they are unlikely to sign up again when Entry Level Stewardship agreements expire over the next two years. In a further setback to the government's agri-environmental policies, fewer than 40% of farmers questioned said they were willing to take land out of production now set-aside had been abolished. A DEFRA spokesperson said ELS and previous schemes had been extremely effective in delivering environmental benefits on farmland. Information on additional measures farmers could take would be published later this autumn.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/20/117276/one-in-four-wont-renew-stewardship-agreements.html
© Farmers Weekly
LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD STILL IN DEMAND
Consumers still want to buy local and regional food, despite it being perceived as more expensive than imported food, according to an online survey. The Regional & Local Food & Drink report by research company Adsearch found that 65% of the 1000 consumers who took part wanted to buy local and regional products to support the local economy. Just over half (53%) also said they wanted to support small scale production, while a desire for fresh quality and flavours was cited by 51% of respondents. Respondents wanted every supermarket to sell a local and regional range of products, with local being defined as being within 27 miles. However, many felt that supermarkets failed to promote local and regional food sufficiently. Just 9% of those surveyed felt supermarkets were the best place to buy local food, with 45% choosing farmers' markets and 20% choosing farm shops. Many consumers said they were prepared to pay a slight premium, despite the credit crunch, if it meant supporting the local economy and suppliers and getting a fresher and more flavoursome product.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/20/117293/local-and-regional-food-still-in-demand.html
© Farmers Weekly
FOUR OUT OF FIVE SHOPPERS SHUN ORGANIC
Four out of five shoppers are turning their back on organic produce in favour of cheaper, conventionally-produced products, a report has found. Research carried out by food and grocery expert the IGD revealed 10% of shoppers have found alternative products in the recession that offer the same perceived benefits as organic food at a lower price. A further 8% are focusing their organic spend on fewer products where they think it really makes a difference, while another 8% say they are not sure what organic stands for anymore. http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/117259/four-out-of-five-shoppers-shun-organic.html
© Farmers Weekly
Rural Development
MAJOR STUDY INTO RURAL FUEL POVERTY
Households are defined as being in fuel poverty if they spend more than 10% of their income on heating and energy. Researchers will examine the effect of fuel poverty on consumers, service providers and the local economy. The study has been commissioned by the Commission for Rural Communities. A steering group will oversee the inquiry process. It includes a consultation for rural stakeholders. Last month, government advisers warned that fuel poverty levels had increased threefold within the past five years. Existing measures were inadequate to deal with the scope of the problem, said the fuel poverty advisory group. The study seeks to identify the specific challenges of addressing fuel poverty in rural areas - including barriers to older people taking up support - and make recommendations for action. Three pilot areas will later seek to produce robust data about the scale and depth of fuel poverty and test out different approaches to tackling the issue. Study findings will be used to advise the government and key policy makers on ways of increasing energy efficiency. http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/services/major-study-into-rural-fuel-poverty.html
©Rural Services Network
£300,000 BOOST FOR WHEELS TO WORK SCHEME IN WEST MIDLANDS
The Wheels to Work service, which provides cost-effective transport such as mopeds to enable people in remote rural areas to travel to jobs and training, will run for the rest of the year with the help of a £300,000 investment from Advantage West Midlands. Around 400 people are expected to benefit from Wheels to Work, which is delivered by county councils in Staffordshire and Worcestershire, the Community Council of Shropshire, Herefordshire Voluntary Action, the CSWP (Coventry and South Warwickshire Partnership) and Telford & Wrekin Council. The scheme offers people travel advice and practical support to enable access to employment and work-related training. This can include moped hire, driving lessons, bicycle loans, small grants and help devising travel plans. http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/news-media-events/news/2009/08/300-000-funding-boost-for-wheels-to-work-scheme-in-west-midlands.aspx?tmcsTrackingInfo=$lv_-GiBQMb8xmHfVxMfvoNWq3bgxa34ack8W64Zf7CSrhmGLbbD41s7GMtE8Z5WyXKtqR5KrFSSMaRQHBMBYfuKUOeoBxWbEacrXtijidYWo4yFfR2C5FzNS-N_UKUT5NKGSk1EWZZ6PKVDAiu-46rp0vTQU8cQO_vbahJtDYtK5l2wOpTL9xVOegBto5yXfjZM8xJQhu-Qwkm75A5uyq0KGalr9lgEqe67tfpOOYvmkNgI_OxIrC3mvVrJsON6KCVZqNqHPRoYdVl92Llj2eGW7-90v3U5vLBrlyjgDk9Xu0nX-moT5OBf-Pa2rXHu1k4ewsOh5sD1Hl1vbnUu4kUsMFqOseJeSH22oQGRa0igScc
© Advantage West Midlands
COMMISSION FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES WELCOMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Sarah McAdam has now joined Commission for Rural Communities as new Chief Executive. On taking up her new post, Sarah said: “I am delighted to take up my new post at the CRC. I look forward to building on the organisation’s excellent work to date representing the interests of rural communities at the highest levels in government and tackling social and economic disadvantage in rural England. We also have a crucial role to play helping to identify and address challenges arising from the recession and focusing on what needs to be put in place to create a strong post-recession future for rural communities.” Sarah joins us from the Ministry of Justice where she was most recently an Area Director within HM Courts’ Service. She has a background which encompasses both policy and operational delivery roles in the fields of criminal justice and housing.
http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/events/welcomingournewchiefexecutive
© Commision for Rural Communities
International News
ETHICAL OIL IS A FIRST FOR FAIRTRADE
Zaytoun is a Community Interest Company created to develop a UK market for fairly traded Palestinian produce.
The company is a co-operative and a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation. Zaytoun has worked with farmer co-ops to introduce the first olive oil and olives to receive the Fairtrade Foundation mark.
Heather Masoud and Cathi Pawson set up Zaytoun (Arabic word for olives) in 2004. Both had been to Palestine as volunteers working with rural farming communities who were denied access to their land and suffered crippling restrictions on travel, which in turn effectively shut down trade opportunities.They noticed the glut of high-quality olive oil that year, which was being sold at prices below the cost of production to Israeli traders and felt there could be a way to support selling this product through fair trade channels in the UK. In early 2004 they brought in 200 bottles to sell to friends and family and are now importing over 80, 000 litres of olive oil per year, as well as other high quality food products such as medjoul dates, almonds, cous cous and olive oil soap. Zaytoun takes groups to Palestine during the olive harvest to visit the farmer co-operatives their products are sourced from. On their return the visitors often share their experiences through talks in their community, which strengthens the link between consumer and producer and promotes the social change that can be brought about through fair trade practices.
Trade with producer communities not only brings economic benefits, but allows the rich stories and heritage of these communities to be heard by consumers in the UK. Links between UK customers and Palestinian producers help to foster mutual understanding across cultural divides.
http://www.socialenterpriselive.com/section/features/the-bottom-line-ethical-oil-first-fairtrade?utm_source=LIVEWIRE&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_content=BOTTOMLINE&utm_campaign=SELIVE_LIVEWIRE_AUG19_2009 © Social Enterprise
UK HELPS AFRICAN FISHERS FIND A SOLUTION TO PRICE FIXING
A new system which will allow fishermen and women in Kenya to access “real time” information on buyers and current selling prices on their mobile phones is one of the projects to benefit from funding from the Department for International Development (DFID).
Speaking on International Co-ops Day, Minister for Trade and Development, Gareth Thomas MP, welcomed the project, which will help 45,000 fishers and 80,000 traders who rely on fishing in Lake Victoria to make a living.
Previously, the fishers’ income was adversely affected by middlemen fixing prices. The new mobile phone service will bring an end to this by allowing them to receive real time information on the current selling price of fish.
It will also enable them to send texts to advise each other on which fishing sites to avoid and which are profitable.
This is one of a number of projects across nine countries to be launched recently by Co-op Africa, which has received £5 million funding from DFID to help communities to work together.
Hailing the success of the project, Mr Thomas said: “In the current economic crisis, co-operatives around the world have a more important role than ever to play in helping to lift people out of poverty. This money will make a big difference to a number of community projects in developing countries where people are working in co-operatives to create innovative ways of making a decent living.”
http://www.thenews.coop/features/Worldwide%20Co-operation/1631
© Co-operatives News