Apply now for Social Enterprise Support Programme (UK)

Deadline: 30-Oct-2026

The Department for the Economy is inviting proposals from experienced organisations to deliver activities that strengthen, develop, and grow the social enterprise sector across Northern Ireland. The Social Enterprise Support Programme Open Call supports priorities under the Social Enterprise Action Plan, including business growth, sector development, leadership, investment, procurement, public policy engagement, and improved access to growth opportunities. What Is the Social Enterprise Support Programme? The Social Enterprise Support Programme Open Call is an initiative of the Department for the Economy designed to strengthen the social enterprise sector across Northern Ireland. The programme supports activities that address the needs of social enterprises and create better conditions for their development, sustainability, investment, and growth. It forms part of the Department for the Economy’s wider commitment to implementing priorities identified through the Social Enterprise Action Plan. What Does the Programme Aim to Achieve? The programme seeks to strengthen the overall social enterprise ecosystem rather than focusing only on individual organisations. Proposed activities should contribute to one or more areas such as: - Strengthening the structures that support social enterprises. - Promoting individual social enterprise growth. - Providing strategic sector-wide support. - Supporting engagement with public sector policy development. - Raising awareness of the social enterprise sector. - Developing leadership and training opportunities. - Improving access to investment. - Increasing procurement opportunities. - Improving access to business growth opportunities. The overall objective is to create a stronger and more sustainable social enterprise sector capable of contributing to economic and social development across Northern Ireland. Key Areas of Support Structural Support for Social Enterprises Applicants can propose activities that improve the wider support infrastructure available to social enterprises. This could include initiatives that help organisations access appropriate resources, expertise, networks, or development support. Individual Business Growth Proposals may focus on helping individual social enterprises strengthen their operations and achieve sustainable growth. Activities should demonstrate how participating organisations can improve their capacity, competitiveness, and ability to generate greater economic and social impact. Strategic Sectoral Support The programme also supports initiatives that address broader challenges affecting the social enterprise sector. Applicants should consider how their proposed activities can benefit multiple organisations or contribute to long-term sector development. Public Sector Policy Engagement Activities can include engagement with public sector policy development where this can improve conditions or opportunities for social enterprises. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed approach can contribute to policies and practices that benefit the wider sector. Additional Programme Priorities The Social Enterprise Support Programme also identifies several complementary areas of focus. Raising Awareness Proposals can help increase understanding and visibility of social enterprises across Northern Ireland. Greater awareness can help social enterprises build relationships with customers, partners, investors, public bodies, and other stakeholders. Leadership and Training Applicants may propose leadership development and training activities that strengthen the skills and capabilities of social enterprise leaders, employees, and other relevant stakeholders. Investment Support Activities that improve access to investment are encouraged where they can help social enterprises develop and grow. Applicants should clearly explain the investment barriers being addressed and how their proposed activities will create better access to appropriate finance. Procurement Opportunities The programme encourages activities that help social enterprises improve their access to procurement opportunities. This may involve addressing barriers that prevent social enterprises from competing effectively for contracts or working with public sector and other purchasing organisations. Access to Growth Proposals should consider how social enterprises can gain better access to resources, networks, knowledge, markets, and other opportunities that support sustainable growth. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The open call is aimed at experienced organisations with relevant expertise in supporting social enterprises and delivering sector development activities.

Eligible applicants may apply:

- Individually as a single organisation. - As part of a consortium. - Through a consortium led by a nominated lead applicant. Applicants should be able to demonstrate relevant experience and the organisational capacity needed to deliver the proposed activities effectively. What Should Applicants Demonstrate? A strong proposal should clearly explain the need for the proposed activity and how it will contribute to development of the social enterprise sector.

Applicants should demonstrate:

- Relevant experience. - Understanding of social enterprise sector needs. - A clear approach to delivery. - Evidence of innovation. - Collaboration and partnership working. - Value for money. - Regional balance. - Potential contribution to economic growth. - Clear alignment with identified sector needs. - Potential for meaningful and sustainable outcomes. Innovation and Collaboration Innovation is an important consideration under the open call. Applicants should consider whether their proposed activities offer new or improved ways of addressing challenges faced by social enterprises.

Partnership working is also encouraged

Collaborative proposals can bring together organisations with complementary expertise, networks, resources, and sector knowledge. Where a consortium is proposed