Delegates from across the globe descend upon edinburgh for social good

Edinburgh’s plays host to the world’s biggest social enterprise event today.

More than 1400 international social enterprise leaders, entrepreneurs, young people, academics and policy makers will take part in the world’s biggest event for businesses with a social purpose.

Established in 2008, the Social Enterprise World Forum, taking place at the EICC from 12 – 14 September, sold out in record time and has attracted people from 47 countries.

Over 60% of attendees are from oversees and many of the seminars will reflect on the 10 years since it was last in Scotland, and also focus on the opportunity to create a vision for the next 10 years.

It comes as the Scottish Government included social enterprise in its new programme for government for the first time.

Communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “I am delighted that Scotland is welcoming more than 1,400 delegates from around the world to the Social Enterprise World Forum 2018.

“This international event has its roots in Scotland, with the first ever event taking place in Edinburgh ten years ago. Scotland’s support system for social enterprise, developed over this decade, is now considered world-leading.”

Scotland’s social enterprises employ over 80,000 FTE people, and have a net worth of £5 billion contributing £2 billion GVA to Scotland’s economy .

Gerry Higgins, director of the Social Enterprise World Forum said: “One of the features that attracts people to social enterprise is the range of amazing businesses that are changing lives around the world.

"Innovation isn’t the preserve of the commercial sector, social enterprises are emerging across a wide range of economic sectors and markets and creating impressive social and environmental impact through their products and services.”