10am every Wednesday, Online

We are excited to share a series of events held by our Social Enterprise and Social Investment team on a range of topics designed to provide information and support to organisations trading for a social purpose, including Social Enterprises, Community Business and Trading Charities.

Various dates starting 31st January, Stockport

Are you a socially-purposed business looking to grow your social enterprise?

Drop by the Windmill Coffee Shop in Stockport for an informal chat to learn more about social enterprise, meet with our team and see how social investment could work for you. 

Do you want to help grow economic activity for all communities in Greater Manchester? Do you want to build your network of contacts and your understanding of social change?

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who can work with us to help us build leadership and support around the inclusive economy agenda. 

We need your help to understand the key trends and issues affecting social enterprises in Greater Manchester in 2023.

The survey by Social Enterprise UK is the most comprehensive UK research on social enterprise. This vital evidence will help shape funding and finance, support initiatives and policy to grow the social enterprise movement, and inform national and local policy and support.  

Complete the survey to ensure our region is represented and help us provide a valuable snapshot of the state of Social Enterprise across Greater Manchester.

To take part, email research@socialenterprise.org.uk to register your interest. You’ll then be contacted from late January by BMG Research to take the survey at a convenient time.

In November last year GMCVO held a week of action to showcase the ways in which VCSE organisations are creating a greener Greater Manchester with a fairer economy and helping the region move towards its 2038 net zero target.

A number of diverse organisations held events across Greater Manchester to share how they are helping to make a more environmentally sustainable city region. Find out more about in this review of the week.

During Covid-19 VCSE mental health services experienced an unprecedented surge in demand. With funding from the GM Health and Social Care Partnership, VCSE mental health leaders designed a programme of initiatives that took a creative new approach to getting support to where it was needed most.

This work was facilitated by GMCVO and we are now pleased to publish details of the programme and its outcomes.

whatimpact's Social Value Handbook is a practical online manual for companies and other organisations wishing to deliver explicit, specific and locally relevant social value through tender bids and contract work.

Build A Business is an innovative new project aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business.

It’s running in libraries across 8 Greater Manchester authorities, offering tailored help to support new businesses. It includes workshops and events, one-to-one support, working space and more!

Growth Company Business Growth Hub are looking to engage with business support providers who have extensive experience of working with and for businesses from marginalised communities.

Resonance's Cost of Living Resource Hub signposts individuals and Social Enterprises to relevant third parties, which might be able to help, as well as including some helpful tips on how you might be able to make some savings.

The GC Business Growth Hub is #HereForBusiness, supporting Greater Manchester businesses to navigate the increasing cost of doing business and provide specialist support.

Explore our #HereForBusiness digital hub for the latest news, events and resources to help businesses understand the current crisis and to access practical support that is available.

Thursday 16th February, Online

Our Academic Perspectives Lecture series aims to give voluntary sector audiences and policymakers an opportunity to step back from day-to-day concerns and think more broadly about topics and ideas that can inform everyday practice.

In the latest lecture in the series, Dr Gillian Murray, Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, be speaking about the long view of community-based economic development since the 1970s, using historical insight to critically appreciate current practice and policy development on community wealth building. 

14th & 15th March, Online

Community Matters are hosting an online funding fair with a range of funders. You will need to book separately for each session you wish to attend. Click here for day 2 (national funders) and here to day 3 (national funders part 2).

You can apply now for up to £350,000 (made up of 90% loan and 10% grant) if you are an organisation or business trading for a social purpose in Bolton, Oldham, Stockport or Wigan, that wants to renovate or refurbish your building, or purchase or build something.

Are you looking to develop affordable housing or sports facilities in your local community?

Resonance Community Developers fund aims to support and empower community groups across Greater Manchester by providing them with the tools to deliver solutions to a lack of provision in their local community.

Have an explore on the GM Social Enterprise Directory and discover a range of innovative organisations working across Greater Manchester. Whether you run a social enterprise, are looking to buy from a social enterprise or are just curious to see what organisations are out there, take a look!