Social Enterprises

Social enterprises are social mission driven organizations which apply market-based strategies to achieve a social purpose. The movement includes both non-profits that use business models to pursue their mission and for-profits whose primary purposes are social. They aim to accomplish targets that are social and or environmental as well as financial. Many commercial businesses would consider themselves to have social objectives, but social enterprises are distinctive because their social or environmental purpose remains central to their operation.

Cafédirect is a UK-based alternative trading organization. It is currently one of the largest Fairtrade hot drinks companies in the world. As well as coffee, Cafédirect has a hot beverage range that includes 100% Fairtrade tea and hot chocolate. Cafédirect works with over 260,000 coffee, tea, and cocoa growers in 40 registered Fairtrade producer organisations across 14 countries, affecting the lives of over 1.2 million people in developing countries. Cafédirect's mission is to "change lives and build communities through inspirational, sustainable business. We focus our social and economic impact in the developing world."

Divine Chocolate Limited, formerly the Day Chocolate Company, is a manufacturer of Fairtrade chocolate products in the United Kingdom and the United States. It was established in the UK in 1998 as a partnership between the Kuapa Kokoo cocoa growers' collective and the alternative trading organization Twin Trading; other supporters included The Body Shop, Christian Aid and Comic Relief.

Fair Trade Jordan emerged in 2005 as result of building on IUCN’s gender policy network to mobilize a diverse group of members who wanted to reduce poverty, protect biodiversity, promote growth and ensure gender equity. The resulting alliance encouraged the region’s big consumers and small producers to endorse and trade traditional crafts and organic products for equity and sustainability.

By 2006 strong linkages were established between business and conservation groups to help sustainable producers and service provider overcome trade barriers and evolve into an independent entity. IUCN supported the drafting of principles for Fair Trade Jordan involving: fair wages, equal opportunities, strict guidelines for child labour, respect for culture, health and safety and sustainable use of natural resources. The alliance has expanded to the travel industry to help pilot a fair trade tourism certification scheme based on local needs and problems in a participatory manner.

The Big Issue is a street newspaper published in eight countries; it is written by professional journalists and sold by homeless individuals. It was founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick in September 1991. The Big Issue is one of the UK's leading social businesses and exists to offer homeless people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income, thereby helping them to reintegrate into mainstream society. It is also the world's most widely circulated street newspaper.