News
Review of Social Enterprises in England to be Undertaken
A review of the economic, social and environmental impacts of rural social enterprise in England is to be undertaken. The Plunkett Foundation is undertaking this research on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Office for Civil Society within the Cabinet Office.
The research and development project will collect evidence on the contributions made by social enterprises to rural communities. It will be used to inform the understanding of Defra and other policy makers in related government departments and agencies.
Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation and member of Defra’s Civil Society Board, said: “We are delighted to be co-ordinating this important review. Social enterprise provides a wide range of benefits to rural communities but all too often there is too little information to back up the benefits which are obvious to the communities in which social enterprises are based or primarily benefit. This review aims to get under the skin of rural social enterprise to find out what works well and why, what impacts it has and what needs to be in place to further the development of the sector in rural communities.”
The review is being funded primarily by Defra with additional resources from the Office for Civil Society through its strategic partnership with the Plunkett Foundation. Plunkett is a well established centre of information and expertise around rural social enterprise. Plunkett leads Defra’s Social Enterprise Strategic Partnership which includes Co-operativesUK, Development Trusts Association, RISE and the Social Enterprise Coalition.
For press and media enquiries, please contact Elizabeth of Mar on elizabethofmarpr@yahoo.co.uk or 07870 276 375
