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Social Enterprise Plus Programme

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Social Enterprise Plus Programme

The Social Enterprise Plus Strategy aims to stimulate economic activity among people living or working in Housing Executive communities. 

An important part of the strategy includes an investment programme. A new round of Social Enterprise Plus Funding is open from 1 March 2023.

Two types of award:

1. Building Capacity Award – awards up to £10,000

2. Get Going Award – Award up to £1000

Applications, where possible, should demonstrate outcomes in these priority areas, but if you are unsure please make contact with the Social Enterprise team:

  • Reduction of negative effects of the cost of living crisis
  • Energy and net carbon / environmental impact
  • Preparing social enterprises for social clauses within Government contracts including Housing Executive maintenance contracts
  • COVID-19 recovery

Applications will be assessed against relevance to the Social Enterprise Plus Strategy 2020-2024, meeting the listed priority areas and suitability for public sector finance support. 

Funding is limited so not all applications that meet the criteria will be successful.

1. Building Capacity Award (up to £10,000)

The Building Capacity Award is aimed at social enterprises and community organisations who want to grow a viable business either by creating employment or training opportunities or a product/service to benefit the community, or an innovative partnership which brings new benefits to a Housing Executive community.  

The focus is on trading for sustainability and growth. 

Who can apply?

  • We will consider applications from community-based social enterprises and community focused organisations. Applicants must demonstrate how Housing Executive communities will benefit as a result of the award.
  • Applicants must provide a business plan. This must demonstrate trading capability/potential and their ability to be a viable, sustainable business. For this reason running costs are generally not eligible for funding.
  • Applicants must also provide relevant quotes for equipment and/or services.

Making an application

Applications must be submitted by no later than Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 4.00pm. 

Applications submitted after this date will be deemed as invalid.

Apply for the Building Capacity Award

2. Get Going Award (Max £1000)

The Get Going Award is aimed at helping individuals with a good business idea get their idea off the ground. Applicants must demonstrate the difference the award will make to them or to others.

Who can apply?

  • Individual applicants must be a resident in a defined Housing Executive estate or involved in a social economy initiative in a Housing Executive estate or neighbourhood.
  • Applicants must also provide relevant quotes for equipment and/or services.
  • Please note we cannot fund the following:
    • Travel to interview/work fares
    • Clothing for interviews
    • Driving license costs

*the above are general statement of principle, if in doubt make contact with the Social Enterprise team

If you have any queries please make contact with the social enterprise team either via email or the contact numbers below.

Making an application

Applications must be submitted by no later than Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 4.00pm. 

Applications submitted after this date will be deemed as invalid.

Apply for the Get Going Award

If you need assistance with creating a business plan you should visit:

Or contact a member of the Housing Executive Social Enterprise Plus Team at:

Applications will be assessed by a panel of managers after the window for submission is closed. 

Funding is limited so not all applications that meet the criteria will be successful.

We want to talk to you if you have a new idea or want to expand your existing social enterprise within a Housing Executive community. 

Please feel free to contact a member of the team.

To find out more about the Social Housing Enterprise Plus Programme, contact:

Gwen Tener 07795420169

Connor Smith 07795428562

Or email: socialinvestments@nihe.gov.uk

To find out more download our Social Enterprise Plus Strategy.

Download the Strategy (PDF 7 MB)

What Social Enterprises have we invested in?

The Housing Executive has been supporting social enterprises and community investment since 1971. Our aim is to foster vibrant, stable and sustainable communities.

Since 2015, our Social Enterprise Programme has supported a range of social enterprises. These have delivered services from recycling and catering to graphic design and childcare.

These short films give an overview of the Programme and some of the projects we funded.

Below are some of the benefits brought to local communities by social enterprises that we funded.

These short films show how our funding has helped community based social enterprises:

Our accessible directory lists social enterprises that serve Housing Executive communities across NI

Download the Social Enterprise Directory (PDF 1MB)
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