Book a Demo
Create accountLog in

Social Enterprise

An organisation with a primarily social purpose, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. They reinvest or donate at least half of their profits to support the community in overcoming a need or a challenge.

Criteria
  • The organisation has set a defined primary social and/or environmental purpose, which means they are supporting the community in overcoming a need or a challenge.
  • The organisation must operate independently from the public sector or other corporate interests such as part or whole ownership by other companies with different interests.
  • The organisation reinvests or gives away 50% or more of any annual profits made towards achieving the social purpose.
  • The organisation obtains 50% or more of its income from trade.
  • The organisation is actively working towards and achieving the set social objectives, monitoring, evaluating and setting new targets.
  • The organisation is transparent about their purpose and activities through a social impact report​​ (published within the last 12 months) with outcomes delivered for a minimum of 12 month period.
  • Unincorporated organisations and start-up organisations (<24 months) are not eligible.
Accepted Proof

Option 1

  • Existing certification of Social Enterprise status by Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise Mark CIC, or alike.

Option 2

  • Governing documents (such as Memorandum and Articles of Association, SCIO Constitution, Trust Deed or other company Rules available in the public domain) which include the overarching social aims that the organisation is working towards achieving and rules on distributing at least half of annual profits towards achieving the social purpose.

  • Persons of Significant Control registrations, Shareholding Statements.

  • Company’s annual accounts and supporting statements.

  • Up-to-date (published within the last 12 months) social impact report with outcomes delivered for a minimum of 12 month period.

Developed in collaboration with

Social Enterprise UK

The leading campaigning body for the social enterprise movement in Britain

Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Through achieving this ethy ecolabel, brands also demonstrate contribution towards the following goals.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Find ethy verified brands

Does your brand meet our standards?

Discover how ethy can support your brand’s sustainability journey.