[divider]Background: A social enterprise was defined by the UK DTI in 2002 as “a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community”. This meeting was organised by GoodLab SW in partnership with Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Low Carbon South West. It focused on the role of social enterprises in the sustainability agenda in Bristol, especially developing entrepreneurial, community-led solutions in areas such as housing, waste, food, and energy.
The meeting was introduced by Daniel Oliver of Bristol and Bath Social Enterprise Network, and comprised series of talks followed by 2-minute pitches from some of the region’s social enterprises. The first talk was by Pam Seanor and Hazel Lee of UWE’s Faculty of Business & Law exploring how the city is entrepreneurial, and especially the role of collaboration. Peter Jackson, Chair of the Bristol Energy Cooperative, described the work of the co-operative in setting up solar PV installations on community buildings as it works towards a third share offer. Caroline Bird, Future Cities and Communities Knowledge Exchange Manager at the University of Bristol presented on sustainability, social enterprise and sharing – what’s law got to do with it, describing for example the implications of different legal structures on organisations. Jackson Moulding of the Ecomotive workers’ cooperative Ashley Vale self-build homes project in St Werbergs described their work, including setting up the National Custom and Self-Build Association and the Snug Homes initiative.
The formal talks were followed by 2-minute pitches from the Bearpit Improvement Group, Grow Bristol, Low Carbon Gordano, Code Club, Window Wanderland, H Branch, Something Good, Something Useful, Holistic Building CIC, Cycletricity and UWE Enactus.