The valuable role of social enterprise is increasingly recognised around the world. In the UK, The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) is the trade body that brings together all types of social enterprise to promote the sector and share knowledge.

The SEC plays a dual role of influencing the policy agenda and promoting best practice. Recently a number of proposals for legal reform in the UK have been proposed including: the creation of a new legal form, the Community Interest Company (CIC); modernization of Industrial and Provident Society legislation (the UK Cooperatives Act); and proposals to create a new legal form for charities (The Charitable Incorporated Organisation).

The SEC is working closely with the UK Department of Trade and Industry on the drafting of legislation relating to CICs. For further information visit CICs page.

Is this the kind of "social economy" direction we need in this country as well?