Bishop Grosseteste University launch new hub and academy to support social economy businesses

BG Futures, Lincolnshire Social Economy Hub provides a brand-new offer to support charities, cooperatives, community groups and other social economy businesses across Greater Lincolnshire and will provide free training opportunities.

Part of the hub’s community offer is the Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Academy, which has been launched with support from Lincolnshire County Council and Business Lincolnshire.

The academy offers a blend of practical and academic workshops delivered by a range of partners, and a series of debates and is open to charities, social enterprises, cooperatives, community groups and students.

The need for an academy was identified following the development of a Greater Lincolnshire Social Economy Strategy and evidence gained from an extensive research report to unlock the full potential of the county’s people and communities.

The report highlighted the benefits of social economy businesses and the challenges the sector faces. As a result, BG Futures has relaunched to focus efforts on supporting organisations which create a social impact.

Based on the BGU campus, BG Futures was originally opened in 2012 as a business and enterprise centre and has supported hundreds of businesses across Greater Lincolnshire. The relaunch to focus on social enterprise demonstrates a commitment to developing a vibrant, innovative and sustainable community, particularly from those underrepresented in the business sector.

Click here to see upcoming events and read the extensive research report.