Enablers Primer
Enablers are networks, organizations, individuals and institutions who have spurred the growth of Canada's Social Economy. A thriving social economy that includes for-profit and non-profit blended value enterprises need to work together with government, community programs, academic institutions, and investors to open, operate and scale revenue generating enterprises that provide a social and/or environmental benefit as part of their core operations.
In Canada leaders have fostered the growth of networks and organizations like the Canadian Community Economic Network, Chantier de l'econmie Sociale, Carleton Centre for Community Innovation, BC Centre for Social Enterprise, Social Enterprise Council of Canada and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).. These and other academic and progressive organizations across the country have made a profound impact through the establishment of centers of excellence and research on international practices that support recommendations for policy reform, building knowledge and linking disparate groups to join forces towards new ways of investing.
Community Investment organizations such as the Canadian Community Investment Network Co-op, along with First Nations Capital Corporations and Credit Unions across the country invest in social enterprises and community economic development initiatives.
What do Focus on Enablers accomplish?
Those individuals and organizations have spurred a buzz of activity in social enterprise, blended value investments and policy reform throughout Canada.
Focus on Enablers:
- convene conferences: SRI in the Rockies, MaRS Social Enterprise Summit, Causeway Social Finance Forum, Social Enterprise Council of Canada and, CEDNet national conferences, among others;
- develop new financial products such as the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RDSP);
- research new hybrid legal structures for social enterprises and;
- advocate for new ways for Program Related Investments and policy reform to enhance an environment of social enterprise to grow in Canada.
SocialFinance.ca is the place to find articles to strengthen our common knowledge, link enabling organizations and show case conferences and success stories from across Canada. A growing map of our sector can be found in the Community Pages of SocialFinance.ca.
