Inspired by the Fairtrade Mark as a movement to change how people buy, the Social Enterprise Mark identifies and differentiates unique businesses:

The Social Enterprise Mark is the only international certification for social enterprises.

When you see the Social Enterprise Mark displayed, it guarantees that the business is directed by the needs of society and the environment, first and foremost. The Social Enterprise Mark means the business is not led by creating profits for shareholders. You could say the business is ‘not-for-private-profit’ or ‘not-for-dividend’.

As a certification scheme, the Social Enterprise Mark is needed because anyone can call themselves a social enterprise because there is no UK-wide legal definition (although there is a very broad government definition). Until now, there has been no way to guarantee the ethics, behaviours or motivations of that business. In addition, many social enterprises are frustrated that they are not able to explain easily the differences to potential customers, commissioners and investors. The Mark protects social enterprise integrity and provides an easy way to understand social enterprise.

Being a social enterprise means they provide products or services like other businesses, competing on quality, customer service and price. In reality, they work harder managing their business because on top of trading for people and planet, they also have to make things stack up business-wise. They are not a free or cut-price option.

In fact, independent research shows that:

• 74% of customers would rather buy from a company that makes decisions based on concern for society and the environment.

• 88% of commissioners said that (assuming other contract requirements were met) they would prefer a bidder that has a public service ethos.

The term social enterprise is relatively new which means there are a whole host of businesses that are operating like this but have not identified themselves as a social enterprise. The Social Enterprise Mark is bringing these businesses together, to lobby collectively and change society in favour of businesses making a difference, rather than putting shareholder or personal profit first.

Most importantly, you can look for and buy from them – find certified social enterprises near you in the directory or on the map.

What can the Social Enterprise Mark do for my business?

Social enterprises work in many different industries, from recycling to housing, to health and care, to transport, to culture and leisure. They achieve great things but many people are not aware of this and have yet to learn of their value in today’s society.

Customers are demanding a different way of doing business and are looking for labels to help them make the right choices. ICM research revealed 74% of customers* would rather buy from a company that makes decisions based on concern for society and the environment. Now that’s where the Mark can make a big difference to your buying decisions. You can use it to identify businesses committed to trading for people and planet, just follow the link to find these businesses near you{link to google map}.

The Social Enterprise Mark is confirmation that these organisations have been independently assessed and have passed defined criteria for social enterprise. You can help the Social Enterprise Mark to become as widely recognised as Fairtrade is now after 25 years. The Mark is telling the story of businesses that make a real difference to society. They strive to make profits to fulfil their social aims, rather than making profits for owners or shareholders.

*Research carried out by ICM Researchand published by RISE in 2009.

With a wide range of supporters and key influencers in National and Local government, as well as innovators from the private sector, people see the social enterprise way of doing business as key to creating solutions for BIG society.

88.2% of commissioners* said that (assuming other contract requirements were met) they would prefer a bidder that has a public service ethos. Decision-makers want to work with and procure from social enterprises, but until now have not been able to easily identify them. This is where the Mark can help – our searchable directory{link} of Mark holders lists social enterprises working in many different industries, from recycling to housing, to health and care, to transport, to culture and leisure.

We are

• striving to learn the lessons from the Fairtrade journey and hope to echo its growth
• partnering with business innovators such as O2 and the Local Data Company to bring the Mark holders to a much wider audience.
• looking for exciting collaborations and opportunities to extend the reach of the Social Enterprise Mark. Perhaps its you?

*Research carried out by ICM Research and published by RISE in 2009.