Progress Report June Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy

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1 Progress Report June 2017 Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy

INTRODUCTION Message from the Social Enterprise Manitoba team Social Enterprise Manitoba The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) - Manitoba has been supporting social

2 INTRODUCTION Message from the Social Enterprise Manitoba team Social Enterprise Manitoba The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) - Manitoba has been supporting social enterprises for nearly two decades. Non-profit organizations who pursue cultural, environmental, social or economic goals through business activity are an important piece of the community economic development landscape in Manitoba. The Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy launched in 2015 with a $750,000 commitment over three years managed by CCEDNet Manitoba, after a collaborative development process involving social enterprise leaders, developers, and government stakeholders. Leveraging this amazing opportunity, CCEDNet Manitoba has established Social Enterprise Manitoba as a hub for information, development services, sector development, and outreach to new partners, purchasers, and consumers. Social Enterprise Manitoba intends on supporting the broad social enterprise community for the long-haul while the focus of the MSES is more targeted on stabilizing and scaling up work integration social enterprise (WISE). The MSES is leveraging the success of the local sector to strengthen the infrastructure and ecosystem of support for social enterprise and our hope is for Social Enterprise Manitoba to be one of the lasting outcomes of this important community government collaboration. The Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy also includes 38 recommendations across six pillars including skill development, finance, market opportunities, demonstrating impact, regulatory systems, and network building. Over three years, Social Enterprise Manitoba is working to implement these recommendations, with our partners in the sector and in local governments. We want to extend sincere thanks to the entrepreneurs, community builders, government employees, and other stakeholders who have taken part in consultations, working groups, events, and meetings as we create an equitable and sustainable economy together. Our team can t wait to continue rolling out activities and hope you ll join us in considering what comes next as we support community building enterprise. Find out about what we ve been up to at With thanks, Sarah Leeson Klym, Regional Director Darcy Penner, MSES Project Manager Frank Atnikov, Social Enterprise Program Manager 2

3 WISE SURVEY Surveying the size and shape of WISE in Manitoba These findings will be used to inform and advocate for future sector investment. As with all data collection, there are limitations, but slowly a picture is developing of an emerging sector with a multitude of practices and models serving some of those most often excluded from our economy. Having a nuanced understanding of social enterprise in Manitoba will improve strategic decision making with the limited resources available for investment. Over the course of the MSES implementation project, we have been asking Manitoba workforce integration social enterprises (WISE) to provide us with data to give a snapshot of who they re serving, what industry sectors they re operating in, and how many jobs are created through their work. Out of 19 social enterprise respondents of 37 surveyed: Reporting on the barriers individuals are facing has its challenges. Factors such as a a reluctance to be overly intrusive and the confluence of multiple barriers prevent this type of information from being a precise science. That being said, this information gives an indication of the most prominent barriers to employment faced by social enterprise employees. In 2016, these 19 social enterprises were providing employment and training opportunities to over 850 people. POPULATIONS BEING SERVED BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FACING WISE EMPLOYEES L O W INCOME 3 YOUTH UNDER 30 WOMEN INDIGENOUS NEWCOMERS SENIORS INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES LOW LEVELS OF EDUCATION LOW UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO ACCESS EMPLOYMENT MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES CHRONIC UNDER/ UNEMPLOYMENT LOW LITERACY

COMMUNITY Work grounded in the community MSES Steering Committee This governance team includes social enterprise leaders and key government representatives managing files important to this sector.

4 COMMUNITY Work grounded in the community MSES Steering Committee This governance team includes social enterprise leaders and key government representatives managing files important to this sector. Working this way means programs, events, and suggested policy change is grounded in the needs and capacities of both the sector and the Provincial government. This co-creation model enables consistent communication between community and government, and is one of the best practices emerging from this model that other places in Canada are watching. Current members include Sarah and Darcy Social Enterprise Manitoba Damon Johnston Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg Carinna Rosales SEED Winnipeg Audra Penner Imaginability Representatives from Entrepreneurship Manitoba, Industry, Training & Employment Services, and Manitoba Housing. Shaun Loney Aki Energy 4

COMMUNITY Work grounded in the community Working Groups Two regular working groups are supported through the MSES implementation project.

collectively unlock more capital to support the growth and scaling up of social enterprise initiatives.

5 COMMUNITY Work grounded in the community Working Groups Two regular working groups are supported through the MSES implementation project. The WISE Working Group brings together practitioners and leaders of social enterprises in a community of practice that discusses challenges, and considers collective action. The Social Finance Working Group includes lenders, fund and foundation managers, developers, and financial institutions all considering ways we can collectively unlock more capital to support the growth and scaling up of social enterprise initiatives. Working together benefits more than us, it benefits an entire community. Annual Report Back Meetings Each year, the sector reconvenes to hear about the activities of the previous year and voice their ideas and concerns moving forward. The yearly work plan is built from the feedback received here. Social Enterprises can be successful and create lasting impacts within a community. 5

GROWING AWARENESS Reaching out and growing awareness Idea Jam In December 2016, Social Enterprise Manitoba teamed up with Transition Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to host an

The social enterprise, business and environmental community came together to meet, mingle, problem solve and provide input on three exciting local economy initiatives in Manitoba related to inclusive

Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise Every two years, the Social Enterprise Council of Canada (SECC) partners with a local host to present the Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise (CCSE).

6 GROWING AWARENESS Reaching out and growing awareness Idea Jam In December 2016, Social Enterprise Manitoba teamed up with Transition Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to host an after-hours mixer and ideas jam. The social enterprise, business and environmental community came together to meet, mingle, problem solve and provide input on three exciting local economy initiatives in Manitoba related to inclusive job and training opportunities for people facing barriers to employment or sustainable, low-carbon enterprise initiatives. Expect more collaboration for these events in the years ahead! Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise Every two years, the Social Enterprise Council of Canada (SECC) partners with a local host to present the Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise (CCSE). CCEDNet Manitoba is proud to have been the local host for the 2017 CCSE in Winnipeg on May 10-12, This event brings together our most innovative social entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, and supporters in a spirit of collaboration and learning, to celebrate and advance the country s growing social enterprise sector. Over 225 entrepreneurs, community builders, and sector leaders converged on the University of Winnipeg and nine social enterprise sites of success for three packed days of networking and deep-dive collective learning. 6

GROWING AWARENESS Reaching out and growing awareness Spirit of Winnipeg Awards Recognition and celebration are important.

We ve contributed advice, nominations and promotion to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in their Spirit of Winnipeg Awards, which has included a category dedicated to non-profits and social

Manitoba Green Retrofit Resource Assistance for Youth Market development Access to markets is essential for social enterprises impact.

7 GROWING AWARENESS Reaching out and growing awareness Spirit of Winnipeg Awards Recognition and celebration are important. They raise the profile of social enterprises work and the spirit of those doing the work. We ve contributed advice, nominations and promotion to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in their Spirit of Winnipeg Awards, which has included a category dedicated to non-profits and social enterprises. Past social enterprise nominees and winners include: Mother Earth Recycling 2017 winner! BUILD Inc winner! Diversity Food Services 2015 winner! L Arche Winnipeg Inc. Manitoba Green Retrofit Resource Assistance for Youth Market development Access to markets is essential for social enterprises impact. Increasing sales can be one of the strongest ways to increase this impact. In 2016, we supported the Social Purchasing Portal s Networking Expo, featuring 35 enterprises and bringing social enterprises to the public. An area for future consideration is how to dramatically increase the number of consumers thinking social when they shop. We also began testing a procurement intermediary to focus on creating new relationships with public and private sector purchasers. With just a partial year to pilot this concept, we ve seen several new purchasers engage with social enterprises. With more time, this approach promises to scale up social procurement across Manitoba. 7

A key action is building relationships with new stakeholders so awareness is built and a wider range of supports, markets, and entrepreneurs is included in the sector.

8 A key action is building relationships with new stakeholders so awareness is built and a wider range of supports, markets, and entrepreneurs is included in the sector. Staff have presented to, exhibited, and met with multiple groups like Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, Assiniboine Credit Union, Community Futures, Entrepreneurship Manitoba, Impact Evaluators focus group, Red River College, Rotary Club of Winnipeg, University College of the North, University classes at the Asper School of Business, University of Winnipeg, Vision Quest, Winnipeg Indigenous Executive s Circle, and many others. 8

RESEARCH Research Funding Revolutions: A model for addressing the challenges of upstream investment in human services There is growing consensus across the political spectrum that it is more cost

9 RESEARCH Research Funding Revolutions: A model for addressing the challenges of upstream investment in human services There is growing consensus across the political spectrum that it is more cost effective to invest in preventing social problems before crisis occurs, than it is to invest in addressing the problem further down the road. However, significant barriers prevent this from happening. This report addresses these barriers while presenting a model for making upstream investments in human services through a publicly-financed, pay-for-success investment fund, specifically designed to invest in innovative, preventive initiatives. The model proposed here goes beyond social enterprise. Innovations in fields such as education and healthcare are well within the scope of investment opportunities for this fund. We re glad to contribute this research to the dialogue and practice surrounding preventive investments, and encourage the Manitoba government to invest in the opportunities our social enterprise practitioners see. Discussions on Social Enterprise FInancing in Manitoba Social Enterprise Manitoba released a new report looking at the social enterprise financing landscape in Manitoba. The report authors interview members of the Winnipeg Social Finance Working Group as well as private consultants to get a snapshot of the opportunities and challenges social enterprises face for accessing financing, and where sector leaders should focus their efforts to improve the Manitoba landscape. Find the full reports at 9

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Social Enterprise Institute Social Enterprise Manitoba partnered with the Social Enterprise Institute (SEI), an initiative by

SEI is an online learning platform for social enterprise practitioners to help anyone, regardless of location or economic ability, to set-up a social enterprise to address issues and causes they care

10 SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Social Enterprise Institute Social Enterprise Manitoba partnered with the Social Enterprise Institute (SEI), an initiative by Common Good Solutions in Halifax. SEI is an online learning platform for social enterprise practitioners to help anyone, regardless of location or economic ability, to set-up a social enterprise to address issues and causes they care about. SEI was also created to make learning easier to implement; to take the hassle out of learning new skills by delivering seamless, short, on-demand elearning produced by industry professionals. If you come with a passion to start social enterprise, SEI can deliver the pathway. For any idea, of any size, starting at any point in development. Check more on the website 10

11 SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Train the Trainer Part of working strategically is finding dominos which action can we take that will start a chain reaction, building momentum towards the goal? One way we did this was to engage existing business and economic developers across Manitoba who might not be familiar with social enterprise. Our workshop, Train-the-Trainer on Social Enterprise Development supported by Common Good Solutions from Halifax, gave developers a new set of tools to use and a strong sense of social enterprise and community-led business. Adding to the impact, as part of the training, we paired the developers with emerging enterprise leaders so these social enterprises would have new connections and a work plan to strengthen or launch their social enterprise. We hosted sessions in Thompson, Winnipeg and Brandon, reaching over 50 participants. In the short time we piloted this training session, two of the participant social enterprises have begun operations: Workforce Staffing Solutions and Happy Sprouts Childminding. Other participating organizations Brandon Friendship Centre Bug n Scrub Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation BUILD City of Thompson Community Economic Development Fund Community Futures North Central Community Futures Parkland Community Futures Wesman Cooperative Development Services Manitoba Government Diversity Foods Entrepreneurship Manitoba Food Matters Manitoba Indigenous and Municipal Relations - Manitoba Government Industry, Training & Employment - Manitoba Government Happy Sprouts Childminding - West Central Women s Resource Centre Manitoba Co-operative Association Men Are Part of the Solution New Directions - Genesis Northern Healthy Foods Initiative Northern Manitoba Food Culture and Community Collaborative Prairie Partners Inc. Rivers Train Station Restoration Committee Sawmill Cafe SEED Winnipeg Thompson Humane Society Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation University College of the North Workforce Staffing Solutions Manitoba Green Retrofit 11

Train the Trainer Workshop Participants: I really enjoyed that this workshop was very hands on and worked through process from start to finish to how to get from a series of ideas to a tangible plan

12 Train the Trainer Workshop Participants: I really enjoyed that this workshop was very hands on and worked through process from start to finish to how to get from a series of ideas to a tangible plan and executable steps to completion. This has given me so much confidence. This workshop format is highly effective. It is sequential and logical. The pace is fast but that is helpful in keeping focused on the higher level things and not getting mired in details. 12

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Social Finance 101 Developed by one of our key partners, SEED Winnipeg, we held a workshop that provided an introduction to

13 SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Social Finance 101 Developed by one of our key partners, SEED Winnipeg, we held a workshop that provided an introduction to the world of social finance (it s much more than just social impact bonds!). Participants learned why it is important for their organization, how it is applicable, and what the national and international trends are. Watch for this one to be offered again in future years. Social Impact Bonds 101 Conversations about SIBs are everywhere. We brought together social enterprise stakeholders and the broader non-profit community to provide an overview of SIBs, including the model, the motivations for various stakeholders, opportunities and challenges, and the assumptions we make about government and non-profit service providers. 13

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Social Return on Investment Evaluation Evaluation is essential for social enterprise, both for improving practice and

14 SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NETWORKS Building Skills, Knowledge, and Networks Social Return on Investment Evaluation Evaluation is essential for social enterprise, both for improving practice and outcomes, as well as demonstrating value to the public. This training-day, provided by Simpact Strategy Group from Calgary, gave social enterprise practitioners and developers a practical introduction to Social Return on Investment evaluation for their work. Winnipeg Social Finance Forum The MSES worked with the Winnipeg Social Finance Working Group to host the first Winnipeg Social Finance Forum. The one-day conference strengthened the practice and understanding of social finance by bringing together stakeholders from across sectors to learn together and network. Panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on topics such as national trends in social finance, local strengths and opportunities, and experiences with social impact bonds. Approximately 75 people attended the event throughout the day. Attendees included financial institutions, foundations, CED leaders and practitioners, civil servants, political staff and business leaders. 14

15 THANK YOU Thank you! The MSES implementation project has benefited from an incredible range of partners and stakeholders. Partners Administrative and project management support from our parent CCEDNet Funding and Steering Committee support by the Province of Manitoba All our committee and working group members MSES Project Partners Breakwater Group Common Good Solutions Eupraxia Training Entrepreneurship Manitoba Honest Agency Proactive Information Services Purpose Capital Social Purchasing Portal Researchers Shauna MacKinnon and Carole O Brien SEED Winnipeg Simpact Strategy Group Social Enterprise Council of Canada Social Enterprise Institute Transition Winnipeg University College of the North University of Winnipeg Business Chair in Cooperative Enterprises Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Thank you to all who are contributing. 15

16 / info@socialenterprisemanitoba.ca / socialenterprisemanitoba.ca

I n i t i at i v e. From Consideration to Implementation

I n i t i at i v e. From Consideration to Implementation Workforce Development I n i t i at i v e From Consideration to Implementation About CED Calgary Economic Development (CED) is the lead economic development agency that markets the Calgary Region s competitive