Businesses that put people and planet before profit
A social enterprise is a business with a social and/or environmental mission at its core. Unlike traditional businesses that focus on private profit, social enterprises are mission-locked, reinvesting any surplus to achieve their purpose.
Social enterprises exist across cultures and economies worldwide, building on long-standing community and Indigenous practices.
In numbers globally*:
*Data from World Economic Forum’s The State of Social Enterprise: A Review of Global Data 2013–2023 (April 2024). | Read here
to achieve social or environmental goals. For example, a café employing people experiencing homelessness, may use its profits to provide additional training, or a renewable energy company may reinvest in community energy projects.
This means choices around operations, staffing and suppliers reflect social and environmental priorities.
From community-based projects, such as local recycling initiatives or arts organisations, to large-scale services such as healthcare providers, education programmes, or sustainable agriculture enterprises.
Working with partners around the world, SEWF has identified five characteristics of social enterprises. These characteristics are also used by the People and Planet First verification.
Exists to solve a social and/or environmental problem
Prioritises purpose, people and planet over profit in operational decisions
Has a self-sustaining revenue model
Reinvests the majority of any surplus towards its purpose
Chooses legal structures and financing that protect and lock in purpose long-term
Does your enterprise meet the standards? Get People and Planet First verified and join a collective of 1000+ enterprises moving beyond “business as usual” and building an economy that puts people and planet first.
Explore how social enterprises are changing lives and communities globally through real-life examples:
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