Social Economy, Trading & Finance Feed

Loaf Catering, a social economy business developed by the NØW Project, are delighted to launch our new menu for 2010. Loaf Catering has strived to meet the growing demand for high quality corporate catering in the Greater Belfast area. At Loaf Catering, we are committed to service. We aim to satisfy our customers through our extensive menu, competitive pricing and the provision of an excellent delivery service to your board room, office or private function. Loaf Catering offers ranges from sandwich platters to executive buffets, alternatively if you wish to create your own menu our chef will be happy to discuss your requirements .To view the new menu click here (images/stories/LOAF%20Co-Op%20Menu%202010.pdf)

There is a clear link between quality and competitiveness. Social enterprises that have secured external quality accreditations have also been successful in improving sales and securing contracts. The Social Economy Network (SEN) has partnered with DEL to offer social enterprises, interested in improving performance within their organisations, the opportunity to participate in a group scheme with other social enterprises, to attain the Investors In People Standard. The added benefit of a group scheme is the support of like minded people going through the process at the same time. The cost of the programme is heavily subsidised by DEL.

The Ulster Bank Sir George Quigley Award Fund is available throughout Ireland and aims to help community and voluntary sector reach sustainability. Examples of work that can be considered for the Award are - the development of community business, the encouragement of innovative approaches to volunteering, new community and voluntary based approaches to the social economy, new ideas that offer the community and voluntary sector strategies for organisational sustainability.

The Committee for Finance and Personnel have concluded their inquiry into Public Procurement Policy and Practice in Northern Ireland. The Committee has produced a report on its findings/recommendations which was debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday 23 February 2010. The Committee is now keen to receive feedback from those who provided oral or written evidence, or from those who participated in the Stakeholder Conference, on the outcome of the Inquiry and its recommendations. For full details of the report and debate please follow the links below:-The Committee for Finance and Personnel - Inquiry into Public Procurement Policy and Practice in Northern Ireland – To view the Report go to: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/finance/2007mandate/finhome_07.htm (http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/finance/2007mandate/finhome_07.htm).Report was debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday 23 February – To view the full text of the debate go to: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100223.htm (http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports2009/100223.htm).

UCIT are proud to announce their first loan approvals for the year; a sum of over £100,000 between Lagan Legacy Ltd, for a highly innovative and creative new tourism initiative, and Newbuildings Community and Environmental Association Ltd (NCEA), for a new workspace development.

The Orchardville Society and NOW Project have been working in partnership for over a year now in the delivery of employment and training programmes for people with learning disability. This partnership working ensures equality of choice for the client group across Belfast. Programmes in partnership currently include a Belfast Wide Transition Programme for school leavers; Project Unify which is working to ensure a smooth pathway in education attainment is achieved; and Project Able assisting people on the Autistic Spectrum enter the world of employment.

2009 marked the 20th Anniversary of Colin Glen Trust, with so much to celebrate from the Trust’s 20 years of work in the Glen, transforming the site into an area of outstanding beauty. 2009 was a very successful year for Colin Glen, where they were rewarded for their hard work by winning multiple awards. Most notable were the Social Enterprise Award for Northern Ireland and the Investor in Volunteers Award. We were also successful in winning the Green Flag Award for the second year in succession, something no other Park in Northern Ireland has achieved before.We have also just produced our new events guide for 2010 (images/stories/Programme%20of%20Events.doc)

Are you interested in being part of the Northern Ireland Delegation to the Social Enterprise Alliance Summit Social Enterprise World Forum in San Francisco on 26 April - 2 May 2010?The Cresco Trust supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade Investment are facilitating a Northern Ireland delegation of social entrepreneurs, community leaders, business people, public sector representatives and academics to this year’s Social Enterprise Alliance Summit and Social Enterprise World Forum. A small number of bursaries are available to social enterprises which will be awarded on a competitive basis, subject to an application and selection appraisal against eligibility criteria.

Pictured above - Loans Officer - Colin Russell, First Minster - Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MP MLA, Chairman - David Black and Assistant Treasurer - Ian Anderson at the UFCU Web Site Launch in the Long Gallery StormontThe Ulster Federation of Credit Unions launched its new Website on Monday, 23 November 2009 in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings at Stromont supported by the First Minister the Rt. Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA.. The background to the launch with the Federation undertaking a significant strategic review is evident of the UFCU's ambitions to develop whilst improving services for member credit unions and individual savers and borrowers.

The Public Health Agengy (PHA) has a small grant funding programme to support voluntary, community and statutory organisations in developing and providing initiatives aimed at improving health and well being and which address activities set out in the priorities and Action Plans of the four local Drugs and Alcohol Co-Ordination Teams (DACT). Proposals must demonstrate local community involvement, address outcomes locally as identified within the respective DACT Action Plans 2009/11 and/or regional 'Addressing Young People's Drinking in NI Action Plan'. Proposals can be for a maximum of £5,000 (minimum amount £500).

These awards provide financial support for innovative and original research projects of high quality and potential, the choice of them and the design of the research lying entirely with the applicant. Deadline: 19 March 2010. T: 020 7822 5226, E: nthorp@leverhulm.ac.uk, W: www.leverhulme.org.uk

The Comic Relief International Grants programme will fund in the areas of - trade; people affected by HIV/AIDS; people affected by conflict; street and working children and young people; people living in urban slums; women and girls. Deadline: 5 March 2010. T: 020 7820 5555, F: 020 7820 5500, E: internationalgrants@comicrelief.com (mailto:internationalgrants@comicrelief.com), W: www.comicrelief.com (http://www.comicrelief.com/).

Parks for People offers grants for projects involving urban or rural green spaces designed for informal recreation and enjoyment. Deadline: 1 March 2010. T: 028 90 310120, E: northernireland@hlf.org.uk (mailto:northernireland@hlf.org.uk), W: www.hlf.org.uk (http://www.hlf.org.uk/)

Young People and Money is a one day free training programme aimed at practitioners who work with young people not in education, employment or training. The programme will equip them to better support the young people they work with in becoming financially capable and covers areas such as credit, debt and money management. Upcoming sessions are - 2 March, Child Haven Centre, Donaghadee and 11 March, Clinton Centre, Enniskillen. For more information or to book a place visit www.youngpeopleandmoney.co.uk (http://www.youngpeopleandmoney.co.uk/), T: 028 90 231120, E: ypam@citizensadvice.co.uk (mailto:ypam@citizensadvice.co.uk)

The University of Ulster is assessing the feasibility of running a Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters Degree in Community Youth work at the Magee Campus and are eager to hear from any interested parties. The postgraduate course is well established in the Jordanstown campus.

If you have substantial experience in the voluntary and community sector, you could gain direct entry to the second year of the part-time BSc (Hons) in Community Development.

Northern Ireland’s Leading Social Enterprise, Bryson Charitable Group, has been awarded the prestigious “Mark of Excellence” Award at the 2010 Northern Ireland Quality Awards (NIQA); at a gala event that took place at the Ramada hotel ballroom in Belfast on 28th January 2010. To achieve this award Bryson was subject to an intensive 4 day assessment against the comprehensive EFQM Excellence Model; a European wide quality model the organisation has been using since 2005 as a continuous improvement framework to help them achieve business excellence. This was the first time that Bryson went through the awards process as a Group.Pictured L-R: Sir Nigel Hamilton (Bryson Chairman); Lynn McCourt (Bryson Snr Manager Business Improvement); Martin Murphy (Hewlett Packard, Sponsor) and John McMullan (Bryson CEO).

Can Can Recycling is an environmental social enterprise run by Compass Advocacy Network, a service provider of activities and work opportunities for young people and adults with learning disabilities in the Triangle area.Can Can provides 25 work placements per week. The project has two major benefits, firstly it enhances the role that people with learning difficulties play in our community and secondly it increases the awareness of community environmental issues.All work focuses around the recycling of waste materials in the Ballymoney, Coleraine and Limavady council areas. We reinvest all money raised back into the project.

Are you interested in being part of the Northern Ireland Delegation to the Social Enterprise Alliance Summit Social Enterprise World Forum in San Francisco on 26 April - 2 May 2010?The Cresco Trust supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade Investment are facilitating a Northern Ireland delegation of social entrepreneurs, community leaders, business people, public sector representatives and academics to this year’s Social Enterprise Alliance Summit and Social Enterprise World Forum. The cost per participant is £2,900. This cost includes the following: Flights, hotel accommodation, all meals, conference fees, site visits and all other costs associated with the overseas visit, and· Pre-departure briefing, overseas co-ordination and facilitation, post-return study debrief and evaluationsA small number of bursaries are available to social enterprises which will be awarded on a competitive basis, subject to...

ADVERNET is a Social Economy Enterprise established in 1997, the main service provided is a consultancy service for Quality, Environmental and Health Safety management Systems.ISO9001, ISO14001 – What are they? – Does my organisation need them? – And how do we get them? Questions Frank Quinn, Manager of Social Economy Enterprise ADVERNET, is often asked, and with over 13 years experience providing assistance to a diverse range of Social Economy Enterprises, Private Companies and Public Sector groups they are questions he can answer.