The social economy driving positive change

A Building Change Trust event will determine if the social economy in Northern Ireland can be used as a vehicle to drive positive change.

Can the local social economy sector be used as a vehicle for positive change?

That will be the subject of a major community event on Thursday, October 6, organised by the Building Change Trust.

Hosted at Groundwork NI's offices on Duncairn Gardens in Belfast, the event will look at the role of the social economy in Northern Ireland and beyond, considering the challenges for those involved in promoting social enterprise development, the present economic and policy climate and whether the values and principles underpinning social economy can deliver ethical economic growth to create significant social change.

Critically, this seminar offers an opportunity for a conversation about progressing with the further development of the social economy sector in Northern Ireland.

New ideas will be explored and potential roles which may emerge for the Building Change Trust will be examined, specifically to see if the Trust can assist with the implemntation of these new ideas.

The Building Change Trust (BCT) promotes and supports the work of the community and voluntary sector (CVS) in delivering an equal and equitable society.

That support recognises that the CVS is working in a rapidly evolving change environment.

Investments made by the BCT support organisations to explore and deliver change and to further build, strengthen and utilise the potential and assets of the CVS to help develop and shape the future of civic society in Northern Ireland.

The BCT through the 'Exploring and Deliver Change' programmes has demonstrated a commitment to support groups exploring social enterprise be that exploring business ideas, business expansion, social franchising or other emergent ideas to support economic and social development.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP Cheri McIlhatton at the Building Change Trust on cmcilhatton@communityfoundationni.org or by calling 028 90 245 927.

Te event runs from 10.30am - 12.30 pm.

The keynote speaker will be Professor Peter Lloyd and the event will be facilitated by Colin Stutt.