A GOVERNMENT minister backed social enterprise in the region yesterday.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Enterprise, visited the Ouseburn Trust in Newcastle, where work is being done by public, voluntary and private sector partners to regenerate the Lower Ouseburn Valley.
It includes the development of an urban village, a heritage project, environmental projects, and improvements to safety and security.
Mr Timms then travelled to east Middlesbrough to open an online centre at Community Ventures Ltd, a community-led development trust which operates three subsidary companies mainly in the security sector.
His visit to the North-East came near the end of a seven-day tour of 22 businesses in both urban and rural areas which tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues.
Social enterprises are businesses driven by social rather than economic goals. They seek to create profit, but use that profit to further social purpose rather than to maximise value for shareholders.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article