International ‘Social Enterprise City’ award for Auckland

Auckland has won an international award and been recognised as a leading ‘hotspot’ of social enterprise. Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), one of the world’s leading social enterprise organisations, runs an innovative ‘Social Enterprise Place’ programme, recognising hotspots of social enterprise activity in the UK and abroad, by awarding them with the Social Enterprise Place badge, celebrating their achievements and supporting them to grow. An application to join the programme was received by partners in Auckland and SEUK has approved the status.

Registered Social Enterprise Places are supported to reach out to and involve local and national government, businesses, charities, consumers and budding social entrepreneurs - bringing them together to grow their social enterprise communities. The programme aims to promote, raise awareness, and build the markets for social enterprise at a local and national level.

Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK, former Chair of the Social Enterprise World Forum will be visiting Auckland to celebrate the award and share best practice from the UK. Peter said:

“We were hugely impressed by Auckland’s application and delighted to award it ‘Social Enterprise City’ status. Auckland will now join a growing number of places in the UK and around the world that are turning to social enterprise to tackle social issues, creating a fairer economy and using sustainable businesses to generate social value and impact.

There is an appetite in Europe and across the world for greater social justice. Local communities are taking back control to harness the energy of businesses, community groups, charities and co-operatives to tackle the inequalities and divisions afflicting communities. Social Enterprises are at the vanguard of delivering this change, innovation and hope.”

Tricia Fitzgerald, Chair of Social Enterprise Auckland said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded Social Enterprise City status by SEUK. We have a growing number of fantastic organisations such as Ooooby, Eat My Lunch, The Palett Kingdom and many others working to reduce inequality and provide the kind of change that will allow local communities to realise their potential.”

ENDS

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