The Ontario Social Economy Roundtable

We mean business. And a lot more.

Introduction

Building healthy and sustainable communities is a widely shared value and goal. Healthy communities are communities where social, economic, environmental, and cultural capitals all thrive. Healthy communities weave social values into the economy. They are communities where social inclusion is promoted, economic participation is ensured, environmental sustainability is essential and poverty elimination is vital.

Based on evolving research, social enterprises are a fundamental component to meet the social, environmental and economic needs of communities. Supporting the development, growth and success of social enterprises therefore is a central aspect of creating healthy communities.

Social Economy (SE) Definition

Canadian Government Definition:
“Separate from the private sector and government, the social economy includes co-operatives, foundations, credit unions, non-profit organizations, the voluntary sector, charities and social economy enterprises. “Social economy enterprises are a component of the social economy that are run like businesses, producing goods and services for the market economy, but manage their operations and redirect their surpluses in pursuit of social and environmental goals.” - Western Economic Diversification Canada

 There are other less broad definitions of the Social Economy, but all recognize social enterprises as an important component.  OSER has decided to make issues related to social enterprise development strategic priority.

 
Social Enterprise

 The above definition also defines ‘social economy enterprises’, more usually referred to as social enterprises.  These sustainable businesses are operated by non-profit, co-operative and for-profit organizations or corporations.  The measurable social benefits that are generated go beyond those generally delivered by competing businesses. The distinguishing feature of social enterprises is that they are not driven by market conditions.  Instead, their priority is on engagement with those markets for their particular social purpose.  Please refer to the SE definition above for an accepted social enterprise definition.

 However, in order for all social enterprises to be included in a specific definition, it is necessary to define SE as a continuum embracing a wide range of different players (non-profit and for-profit), business activities, objectives (social, environmental, economic), and financing needs (debt and equity).  Furthermore, in order for the full spectrum of social enterprise activity to grow, it is important to develop a comprehensive policy agenda aimed at creating an enabling environment for all types of social enterprises.

Impacts of Social Enterprises

 Social enterprises contribute to building healthy communities through direct participation in the market and by strengthening non-profit organizations. Social enterprises:

•  Fill niches that the market does not meet
•  Promote innovation
• Enhance the delivery of social, environmental, and cultural services
• Support the sustainability of non-profit organizations
• Stimulate local job creation and skill development
• Promote economic growth and neighborhood revitalization
• Support an inclusive economy that provides employment and training opportunities for marginalized individuals 

About OSER

The Ontario Social Economy Roundtable (OSER) is a network of independent and connected organizations interested in working with the social economy sector with the aim to:

• Increase financial resources available to the social economy sector
• Improve regulatory environment to facilitate the work of the SE sector
• Improve connections among organizations working in the SE sector
• Improve understanding of the SE sector, its needs and its opportunities
• Improve awareness of the SE among Ontarians and among decision-makers

We Value…

• A strong and diverse social economy
• Collaborative relationships with economic stakeholders and political leaders
• Building community capacity in all economic sectors and communities
• Partnerships and their potential
• The power and equality of ‘local’

We Are…

• Policy influencers
• A resource of knowledge and information about social economy best practices
• Brokers of knowledge and relationship builders
• Supporters of social economic practitioners

We Will…

• Create a forum to help define what a Social Economy in Ontario could look like
• Influence decision makers to make positive changes that will build stronger and more sustainable communities
• Act as a transparent and inclusive hub for communication and information sharing
• Co-operate with provincial and national organizations and with our members to grow a social economy in Ontario and to ensure equal opportunity for everyone involved
• Work with our members to grow a social economy in Ontario and ensure equal opportunity for everyone involved

Long Term Goals

OSER is committed to strengthening the social and economic fabric of local communities in Ontario through:

o   An inclusive and welcoming roundtable

o   Market transformation enabling local and regional capacity for growth

o   Economic renewal for stronger more dynamic communities

o   Awareness building for the social economy sector

o   Recognition by governments as the social economy resource

o   Advocacy and policy change

 
There are five integrated key components that provide a framework for creating a supportive environment for social enterprise.

1.      Enhance enterprise skills

2.      Ensure access to capital and investment

3.      Expand market opportunities

4.      Encourage awareness and demonstrate the value of social enterprises

5.      Build and support networks, communication and coordination in the sector

 
OSER Composition - Steering Group Organizations

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNET)
(represented by the Ontario CED Network)

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network(CCEDNet) is a member-driven organization that seeks to increase the scale and effectiveness of community economic development (CED) - helping organizations and individuals, particularly those who are disadvantaged, to strengthen their communities and create solutions to local needs.

The membership of CCEDNet is made up of community-based organizations, co-operatives, social enterprises, practitioners, active citizens, researchers, and other organizations from every region of the country.

Our vision is that the Network will strengthen community economic development in urban, rural, northern and Aboriginal communities across Canada, and contribute to better social, economic and environmental conditions at the local level.

The Canadian CED Network has a regional staff dedicated to furthering the work of the organization provincially and territorially.  The Ontario CED Network is a bilingual sub-network dedicated to the promotion of CED and the brokering of information to CED organizations and practitioners across the province.
Website: http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca

The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) develops, unites and promotes co-operatives throughout the province of Ontario.  Our mission is to link, cultivate and connect co-operatives.  On Co-op is a resource and common voice for Ontario credit unions and co-operatives in the areas of co-operative development, government relations, membership and communications, and lifelong co-operative learning. 

On Co-op is the HUB of information for, and about, Ontario’s co-operatives and credit unions. It is a resource on the capacity of the sector, speakers and training.  On Co-op is the only organization to bring together ALL of Ontario’s co-operatives and credit unions for education, support, development, information-sharing and celebration. By fostering cross-sector networking, On Co-op promotes co-operation amongst co-operatives (Co-op Principle #6). 

The Members, supporters and stakeholders of On-Co-op include agriculture, finance, insurance, energy, child care, telecommunications, housing and social co-operatives as well as co-op developers and funders, lawyers and other co-op champions. Individual co-ops, co-op associations/federations, and sector stakeholders and partners are also part of the Association.
Website: http://www.ontario.coop/

Économie Solidaire de l’Ontario (ÉSO)

ÉSO is a francophone network of francophone networks in Ontario.  They wish to make human capital the driving force for the sustainable development of French Ontario.  They are an independent network that regroup, concert, support and promote the individual and collective actors of the social economy sector in French Ontario.

Économie solidaire de l’Ontario (ÉSO) promotes community economic development and the social economy and associates itself with various partners to develop various tools and resources and to offer various workshops. 
Website: http://www.economiesolidaire.ca

The Centre for Social Innovation is a dynamic space in downtown Toronto, Canada. Our mission is to spark and support new ideas that are tackling the social, environmental, economic and cultural challenges we face today. We’re creating the spaces that social innovation needs to thrive and we’re contributing a few of our own ideas along the way!

The Centre for Social Innovation is a social enterprise with a mission to catalyze social innovation in its home base of Toronto and around the globe. We believe that society is facing unprecedented economic, environmental, social and cultural challenges. We also believe that new innovations are the key to turning these challenges into opportunities to improve our communities and our planet.
Website: http://socialinnovation.ca/

The Toronto Enterprise Fund supports the implementation of social purpose enterprises working with people who are homeless and low-income. TEF has worked with a variety of social purpose enterprises since 2000, and has accumulated knowledge, resources and tools to share with organizations and funders with an interest in this sector.

The Toronto Enterprise Fund supports the establishment of social purpose enterprises that provide transitional or permanent employment for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Toronto. Through their employment with a social purpose enterprise, participants gain economic opportunities, work experience and related training, additional income, improved life skills and self-esteem, and better connections to their community and the labour force. By helping people improve their economic prospects and reduce poverty, the enterprises help prevent and reduce homelessness in Toronto.
Website: http://www.torontoenterprisefund.ca/

MaRS is a non-profit innovation centre connecting science, technology and social entrepreneurs with business skills, networks and capital to stimulate innovation and accelerate the creation and growth of successful Canadian enterprises.

MaRS drives social and economic prosperity by leading Canada’s innovation mission.  We at MaRS envision Canadian communities that are prospering through enhanced employment prospects, the creation and retention of local wealth and an enriched cultural and social environment. To realize this vision, we foster and promote Canadian innovation.

MaRS helps create successful global businesses from Canada’s science and technology.

MaRS provides resources — people, programs, physical facilities, funding and networks — to ensure that critical innovation happens. We stimulate, identify and harness great ideas, nurture their development and guide the transformation of those ideas into reality. We measure our success through the companies that emerge after receiving help from MaRS.
Website: http://www.marsdd.com/

SiG @MaRS

Strategic Focus: Capacity building for social innovation through direct support by means of trainings, workshops, direct customized consultations and lectures and resources.

Social Innovation Generation (SiG) seeks to address Canada’s social and ecological challenges by creating a culture of continuous social innovation. Our focus is on social innovation that has the potential for impact, durability and scale.

Particular attention is paid to innovations that engage vulnerable and excluded people, that encourage and benefit from the abundant natural, social and cultural diversity of Canada and its rich heritage of innovation.

The responsibility for addressing our social problems cannot be delegated to any one group or sector. Our aim is to search for solutions that engage the creativity and resources of all sectors.

SiG@Large is about intentional exploration of the social innovation dynamic and the possibilities inherent in a deeply generative collaboration with commitment to action outcomes. We see SiG as its own living laboratory where we can experiment with a different way of telling a story and the creation of new possibilities for building resilience. Partners will seek to leverage and share resources of intellectual, social, human and financial capital.
Website: http://sigeneration.ca/

The Social Economy Centre at the University of Toronto

The Social Economy Centre (SEC) of the Univesity of Toronto promotes and disseminates multidisciplinary research and policy analysis on issues affecting the social economy. The Centre was established in 2005 as a unit of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.
Website: http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca

The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) is a network of networks that helps to build communication and coordination amongst nonprofit organizations working for the public benefit in Ontario.
Website: http://ontariononprofitnetwork.ca/

Contact information

For more information on OSER-TRÉSO, please contact André Brisebois at (613) 830-4357 x124 or andre@oser-treso.org.

 ©2009