
About social enterprise
What is a social enterprise? What characteristics, principles and features define them? Read on to find out more.
What is a social enterprise?
A social enterprise has a social and/or environmental mission and operates as a business selling a product and/or service. Unlike traditional businesses that focus on private profit, social enterprises are mission-locked, reinvesting in their mission.
Working in collaboration with partners around the world, we have identified five key characteristics of a social enterprise. These characteristics are used by the People and Planet First verification.
1. Purpose: Exists to solve a social and/or environmental problem
2. Operations: Prioritises purpose, people and planet over profit in operational decisions
3. Revenue: Has a self-sustaining revenue model
4. Use of surplus: Reinvests the majority of any surplus towards its purpose.
5. Structure: Chooses legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long-term
Get involved
Find out more about the ways you can get involved with our mission to champion the social enterprise sector and accelerate the creation of a new economy.
Get involved