Consumers in South West England can now identify goods and services from social enterprises – businesses that trade to fulfil their social purpose. Funded by the Big Lottery's BASIS programme, RISE launched the Social Enterprise Mark (a ‘fairtrade-style’ identity) for social enterprises trading in South West England. These leading South West social enterprises have already been successfully licensed to use the Mark: Eden project, COSMIC, Devon Doctors and The Co-operative Group South West.
To see the detailed criteria to qualify to use the Social Enterprise Mark, check the annual fees or to find out more, visit www.socialenterprisemark.co.uk
Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project said:
”I really welcome the Social Enterprise Mark as a first step to better business. We should celebrate the start of something so beneficial for consumers and social enterprise suppliers.”
Lucy Findlay, RISE Chief Executive said:
“We are thrilled at the wide support the Social Enterprise Mark is gaining. I’m really pleased that there is such a lot of interest from social enterprises who are keen to use the Mark, as well as consumers who see it as a means to purchase more goods and services from social enterprises.”
The Social Enterprise Mark is sponsored by the South West Regional Development Agency, The Co-operative Group and Triodos Bank.