So many parts of the UK have been let down by a failing economic model, where growth doesn’t result in rising living standards for large sections of society and the effects of austerity have meant that local services are struggling to meet local needs.

There is a growing realisation that a new approach is needed. One that uses economic power for social justice, that enables people and communities to create and share wealth, and ensures that people have access to quality local services that really meet their needs.

The event we are organising for 300+ people on 12^th February 2020 is about how social business models can support this in practice in different places. It will explore the experience and learning from the development of co-operatives, social enterprises and community businesses that offer an alternative way to grow economic and social opportunity, and how local public organisations can work in partnership with this growing sector to harness its transformative power.

Hosted by Oldham Council, the Convention is organised by a broad partnership of organisations that are working in different ways to help grow the New Economy, including: the E3M partners, Power to Change, The Co-operative Group, the Connect Fund, Social Enterprise UK, Co-operatives UK, Locality, Community Leisure UK, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and the Key Fund.

The event will provide a unique opportunity for mutual learning and collaboration. We have a great mix of over 50 speakers taking part from co-operatives, social enterprises, community enterprises, local authorities and funding organisations, all with practical experience, inspiration and a passion for creating a better future.

There will be a mix of interactive plenary sessions and 20 different break-out sessions where participants will share their experience and learn from each other. Sessions include:

• Catalysing change to support local social enterprise solutions – learning from E3M Alchemy.
• Social Sourcing and Public Benefit Partnerships: the Oldham innovation partnership for social prescribing.
• Risk sharing to support innovation.
• Social Enterprise Places. How does the SEUK social places programme support local social enterprise growth?
• “Keep it Local”. How can commissioners refocus their work to boost opportunities for local people and local providers?
• Can funders and foundations help to change the rules for the new economy?
• Social Investment in Place.
• Building Co-operative and Social Enterprise Ecosystems.
• Policy for Inclusive Growth and Industrial Strategy.
• Community Wealth Building – the role of co-operatives and social enterprises.
• Northern Roots – a practical session to help shape this exciting project that will create a 65-hectare agri-park to “grow opportunity” in Oldham.
• #1 million owners. How to boost the growth of employee led co-operatives.
• Social enterprises working together.
• Responding to Climate Emergency – the role of co-operatives and social enterprise in community energy.
• Building from the bottom-up. How can local community businesses work together to achieve impact?
• Social Value as a driver of inclusive growth.
• Learning from Barcelona – live video link to learn about the experience of implanting the “Impetus plan” to grow the city’s social economy.

We have kept back three sessions as “open spaces” where participants will propose and decide what should be discussed.

In each of the breakout sessions, participants will be encouraged to draw out key learning points and ideas for action that can support the growth of the New Economy. Towards the end of the day we will draw together these points and start to shape some common commitments for moving the agenda forward.

There will be an exhibition and lots of opportunities for networking and, the evening before, participants are invited to attend a drinks reception hosted by the Co-operative Group in Central Manchester.

Do join us if you can and learn about some things you can take back into your own work.

For more information and to book, please click here.