About Trade Social

Trade Social aims to promote opportunities for social enterprises to do more business – by selling to each other, selling to the public and private sectors, and selling to the general public.  Entries in the Directory are free to social enterprises set up and trading in Northern Ireland.

The Social Enterprise Trade Directory has been developed by the Social Economy Network, the representative body for the social economy sector in Northern Ireland and Work West Enterprise Agency, a local enterprise agency who have supported the development of a strong social economy sector in NI for almost 20 years.

A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.  We like to call them “more than profit” organisations.  They have to be commercially viable businesses, but it is what they do with their profits that sets them apart.

The social objectives of each social enterprise can be wide and diverse, as can the sector in which the business operates.  Social enterprises can be run by companies, industrial and provident societies, community interest companies, unincorporated bodies and registered charities.

If you are set up to serve a social, environmental or ethical purpose, have a democratic decision making structure in your organisation, and have an explicit business model which allows you to trade, then you probably are a social enterprise.  If you would like to add a profile to the directory, please email tradesocial@workwest.co.uk