Social Enterprise Northern Ireland

Social Enterprise Northern Ireland The voice of Social Enterprises & entrepreneurs in NI. Connecting, supporting, developing and sustaining vibrant businesses to create social change.

25/08/2026

What's in a name? In this case, a story of evolution, a gathering of people who want to make like better for those living with learning difficulties.

CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) is SENI's well deserved social enterprise of the month for August.

20/08/2026

Everyone loves the countryside. But a beautiful, inspiring location comes hand-in-hand with low footfall.

CAN managed to get around this by making their Lislagan Farm into a destination.

With so much green space, the team have built:

A hireable meeting/presentation space in the Hen Hoose

A sensory Compass Garden

An outdoor play park that can be used by young people over the age of 13s (who are not allowed to play in council playparks!)

The new holiday cottages each powered by sustainable energy sources

Loads of rescued hens, sheep and of course their excellent fully equipped office spaces

Their clothing processing facility.

Their BBQ/firepit area and shaded poplar tree area.

Keep your eyes peeled. We are looking for a someone....Someone who naturally stands out from the crowd. Someone who insp...
19/08/2026

Keep your eyes peeled. We are looking for a someone....

Someone who naturally stands out from the crowd.

Someone who inspires change.

Someone who has dedicated their career to social enterprise.

They might be an employee, on a board or a social enterprise leader. They don't have to be approached, you can nominate in secret right here:

https://socialenterpriseni.org/seni-awards-2026/

17/08/2026

The Irish League of Credit Unions represents some of the most important examples of a social enterprises in NI at the moment.

Credit Unions rely on volunteers who provide a social connection to their members. They also educate school kids on basic finances and provide an affordable alternative to the many punitive loans that are on the market at the moment.

Credit Unions are the antidote to the many High Street bank closures and the 'computer says no' attitude that has alienated so many.

We are so proud that this organisation is sponsoring the 'Social Value Partnership' award at this year's Social Enterprise Awards for NI, 2026.

Don't forget, tickets go on sale at the start of September!

17/08/2026

Risk is a key ingredient for business success. Without it, opportunities can missed and innovation can be crushed.

Like any other social enterprise CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) has a board that has to make tricky decisions.

Fortunately their board was risk positive.

They saw the opportunity of buying a farm and they went for it.

The result has been innovation, opportunity and an even greater capacity to generate their own income.

Another good reason why CAN is our Social Enterprise of the Month for August.

Humans can be decent spuds sometimes. Especially in the world of social enterprise. The Lifetime Achievement Award is al...
17/08/2026

Humans can be decent spuds sometimes.

Especially in the world of social enterprise.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is always an emotional one.

Last year kevin duffy from CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) was the well-earned winner of this prestigious award. He led by example, he shaped solutions, he helped to build a financially sustainable social enterprise and he always put the needs of the community first.

Do you know anyone who deserves a Lifetime Achievement Award? Nominate by Monday 14th Sept!

Nominate them here or follow link in bio!
https://socialenterpriseni.org/seni-awards-2026/

You've got until midnight Sunday 16th August to place your vote for the 'Consumer Facing or Product Based' social enterp...
14/08/2026

You've got until midnight Sunday 16th August to place your vote for the 'Consumer Facing or Product Based' social enterprise.

Our finalists are:





Harry's Place CIC (Harry's Mates)



CREDIT UNION LIMITED

's Orchard



Vote now or forever hold your peace. Follow link in bio!

https://socialenterpriseni.org/consumer-facing-award-voting/

12/08/2026

Don't underestimate the importance of what this team is doing. From collecting, sorting and delivering donations to working in the CAN Can Bazaars, there are so many opportunities to help adults with learning difficulties or autism to earn a wage through fulfilling and highly social work. So many opportunities to reduce waste and give people an alternative to fast fashion.

Support the CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) team, donate, shop and support their CAN Can Bazaars on Ballymoney Main Street, Broughshane Street, Ballymena and Kingsgate Street, Coleraine.

These are the finalists for the Consumer Facing or Product Based SE for the Social Enterprise Awards for NI 2026.... We ...
12/08/2026

These are the finalists for the Consumer Facing or Product Based SE for the Social Enterprise Awards for NI 2026.... We need you to choose the winner. No pressure.

Get your vote in by midnight on Sunday 16th August.

Vote here or follow link in bio:
https://socialenterpriseni.org/consumer-facing-award-voting/

10/08/2026

Fast fashion is a serious issue. Rather than ship the problem out of sight, CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) has set up a donations and processing facility, recruited and trained their team and established a network of shops or CAN Can Bazaars to sell their vintage treasures.

CAN is SENI's Social Enterprise of the Month for August. So if you have some clothes that don't quite fit anymore, or that are way too good to be discarded, just donate them to CAN in their donation bins or in their CAN Can Bazaar stores which can be found on the main street of Ballymoney, Broughshane Street in Ballymena and Kingsgate Street in Coleraine.

Address

Belfast
BT153HB

Telephone

+442890461810

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Social Enterprise Northern Ireland posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category