Information Hub
About Social Enterprise London
Social Enterprise London (SEL) was set up in 1998 by London Borough Grants, now the Association of London Governments (ALG)
- SEL was set up to deliver a cohesive and far-reaching social enterprise strategy in London. We work with individuals, enterprises, organisations and government to make social enterprise happen
- SEL works to promote an inclusive, robust and creative social enterprise community in the capital. Our aim is to promote London as the country’s most recognisable social enterprise community – the ‘brand leader’. SEL is all about building capacity, creating momentum and strengthening the social enterprise sector
- SEL recently registered as a Community Interest Company. We are funded by a mix of earned and grant income. Our chief funders are the London Development Agency and the Association of London Governments
- SEL has established the London Social Enterprise Network, which is the largest community of social enterprises, business support providers, academics and entrepreneurs in the country. The Network offers the UK’s first social enterprise directory, London’s most widely read social enterprise news bulletin, update!, networking events, technical support and sector-wide promotion
SEL works on a variety of projects:
- Working with partners and supported by the LDA, ALG and the European Social Fund (ESF), SEL has launched GR02. This is a unique business support programme designed exclusively for established social enterprises in London’s most disadvantaged areas
- SEL offers consultancy services that include business planning, new product development and event management. Our clients include some of the most innovative social enterprises and statutory bodies in the UK
- Developed by SEP in conjunction with the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) and approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), SEL has launched Understanding Social Enterprise. This programme ensures that business advisors, consultants and managers have the knowledge to support social enterprise development. The licence to deliver this uniquely accredited 4 day programme is available through SEL
- SEL hosts the UK’s only virtual market place exclusively for social enterprise. www.shopsocialenterprise.com enables social enterprises to inter trade and market their products and services to a wider audience
- SEL launched the Social Enterprise Journal, supported by the London Development Agency. Widely welcomed by the ODPM amongst others, the Journal is a first, combining academic observation with practitioner experience. Thousands of downloads have followed, from as far a field as Sydney, Australia.
For further information please contact 020 7022 1920
