19/02/2007
Social Economy Plays Vital Role In Development of Newry & Mourne Of Newry & Mourne Economy,

“Social Enterprise in Newry & Mourne has a distinct and valuable role in creating a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.” Conor Patterson, Chair of Social Enterprise Newry & Mourne.

Mr. Patterson was speaking ahead of the launch of Social Enterprise Newry and Mourne, an initiative of Newry & Mourne Local Strategy Partnership part-funded under Measure 3.1 of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

This new initiative offers social enterprises in Newry & Mourne free access to a wide-ranging and flexible menu of support to enable them to become more sustainable and competitive, and to generate greater added value, earnings and wealth within their host communities in Newry & Mourne. The support includes networking and trade events, social business to social business trading, public procurement opportunities, business growth clinics, technical support, advanced business coaching, and best practice visits in the UK and Ireland.

The Social Economy is all about benefiting local people, bringing employment and wealth to local communities, targeting poverty, exclusion and social need. The Social Economy in Newry & Mourne is a thriving and growing collection of organisations, which put people and community, rather than profit, at the centre of their mission. Unlike the private sector model, this commercial zeal is being used to generate surpluses that are reinvested back into the community -- profits are not paid out to individuals or shareholders.

The Social Economy sector in Northern Ireland employs over 30,000 people, equal to the number employed in tourism or the building trade. In Newry & Mourne there are over 140 social enterprises using trading activities to achieve their goals and financial self sufficiency. The Social Economy in Newry and Mourne includes Co-operatives, Voluntary and community organisations, Foundations and associations, Credit unions, Housing associations, Community Businesses and Charities.

Social Enterprise Newry and Mourne will be delivered by a unique cross-community, cross sectoral partnership of delivery agents drawn from the private, public and the community / voluntary sectors.

“We want 2007 to mark a step-change in support to social enterprise,” says Conor Patterson, Chair of Social Enterprise Newry & Mourne and himself the Chief Executive of a thriving social enterprise, Newry & Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency.

“There are massive opportunities for the sector, but we also need to get the social enterprise message across at all levels – especially in the public sector and amongst policy-makers and fund-holders at the more local level.”

Contact details: Maeve McParland on 028 302 67011 or email mmcparland@nmea.net