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Social Enterprise

“Social enterprises are not just businesses with a heart; they are the heartbeat of our communities, driving change, and creating a brighter future for all. In a world often driven by profit margins and bottom lines, social enterprises stand out as beacons of hope and possibility. They prove that business can be about more than just making money; it can also be a force for good.” Professor Kiran Trehan

We believe in the power of Enterprise as a driver for social change and no-one encapsulates this better than the social enterprise sector. We are working collaboratively across the City and region, with social enterprise at the heart, to: raise awareness, develop skills and co-create a programme of collaborative activity with anchor institutions in support of the sector and the communities they support.

Social Enterprise Business Services Directory

Companies are increasingly looking for purpose-led partners who deliver not only great products and services, but also meaningful social impact.

This resource highlights a vibrant range of local social enterprises whose services are ready to meet your company’s needs. Every enterprise featured reinvests its profits for public good. By working with them, your procurement choices can strengthen communities and create lasting positive change.

Categories – find the right partner for you
Explore Social Enterprise products and services to discover the breadth of what social enterprises in our region can offer, and identify the partners that best match your organisation’s needs.

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panel and audience at the Purpose of Business event in December 2023

York & North Yorkshire Social Impact Accelerator

Over the last year, we've developed a number of streams of activity, working collaboratively across the City and region, with social enterprise at the heart, to: raise awareness, develop skills and co-create a programme of collaborative activity with anchor institutions in support of the sector and the communities they support. 

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York Festival of Social Enterprise

York Festival of Social Enterprise, a dynamic celebration of community innovation and cross-sector collaboration, taking place across October and November 2025.

Join us as we bring together changemakers, community leaders, businesses, and policymakers to spotlight the transformative power of social enterprise.

At its heart, the Festival is about:

  • Raising the visibility of social enterprise.
  • Forging meaningful partnerships across communities, councils, universities, and businesses.
  • Influencing policy that centres on fairness, inclusion, and local prosperity.

Spanning York and North Yorkshire, this is more than a celebration, it’s a call to action. Together, we’re building a York where community-led innovation thrives and everyone has the opportunity to contribute and benefit.

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Our services

Enterprise: Everybody’s Business

women on a zoom meeting

This three-week course equips aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills for startup success. Participants learn to identify, test, and develop ideas, assess market demand, craft effective pitches, and protect intellectual property.

Open to all, and guided by experts from the University of York, participants gain insights into enterprise, ideal for those exploring startups or freelancing.

Topics include: design thinking, customer engagement, financial projections, growth strategies & more.

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Entrepreneurial journeys

Hear from a range of social enterprises about how they got started and the challenges they faced

People working

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We’d be delighted to hear from you.