Approved Social Enterprise Mark - Social Enterprise Mark

APPROVED

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ACCREDITATION

The recognised standard of good practice for social enterprises.

What are the benefits?

Prove your credibility

Prove your social enterprise credentials to customers and stakeholders, by submitting to the scrutiny of a rigorous external assessment process. With annual checks against criteria, you can assure customers/partners that you are operating ethically, commercially and upholding sector-agreed standards.

The Social Enterprise Mark is the only accreditation to independently assess organisations against sector-agreed criteria to provide a guarantee of a commitment to trading for the primary benefit of people and planet.

Articulate your social impact

We offer tailored support and guidance to applicants and renewing Mark holders in articulating their social impact. We provide detailed guidance in responding to how your organisation meets Criterion F of the Social Enterprise Mark.

Our social impact questions are designed to help you think about the social impact you create, and to communicate this clearly and succinctly. We also create a Social Impact Declaration for all Mark holders, to summarise how you are striving to make a difference and standing up to scrutiny of purpose as a social enterprise. We also publish statements of how you commit to make a difference (social value).

Differentiate from competitors

Stand out from competitors, by demonstrating you have been externally scrutinised against robust accreditation criteria, and have proven that your organisation puts people and planet before the interests of shareholders.

Approved social enterprise status

4/5 of social enterprises use their social enterprise status in marketing their products and services* – the Social Enterprise Mark helps with this.

Create buyer/partner confidence – displaying the Social Enterprise Mark lets them know you are truly giving back for social good.

Get noticed as an approved social enterprise creating social impact

Get featured in a unique directory that lists only accredited social enterprises and shows their social impact, which is viewed by approx. 400 visitors per month.

Social Enterprise Mark holders have their own profile on the directory, which includes details about the organisation with contact details and links to website and social media channels, as well as evidence of social impact. This will indicate your commitment to social enterprise principles as an approved Mark holder, as well as providing a public statement of how you commit to make a difference (social value).

Demonstrate good practice in social enterprise

Promote good practice and leadership in operating as a social enterprise, upholding sector-agreed standards and creating impact for the communities in which you operate and wider society.

How do I apply?

Check your eligibility

Check if you are likely to meet our criteria using the Full Qualification Criteria below.

Please contact us if you have any concerns about qualifying or would like to discuss the criteria in more detail

Register your interest

Complete our short Registration Form and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.

What happens next

We will be in touch to discuss the process and timeframe.

Full Qualification Criteria

How much does it cost?

There is an annual licence fee for the Social Enterprise Mark, which is calculated based on the turnover of your business. The fee tier will be assessed each year, so if turnover has increased or decreased, the licence fee payable will adjust accordingly.

The annual fee entitles you to:

an independent assessment against robust sector agreed criteria
support and guidance in articulating your social impact
tailored feedback to provide benchmarks for future development

With the Social Enterprise Mark, you can:

prove your credibility as a social enterprise
differentiate from competitors
demonstrate your good practice as a social enterprise
get noticed as an approved social enterprise creating social impact

All fees shown exclude additional taxes e.g. VAT which will be charged at the applicable rate

Rates correct as at 1 st November 2022 Valid for 6 months – subject to review

Please note that the continuation of the licence and agreement is subject to an automatic annual renewal process and fee, through which you must confirm your continuing eligibility with the qualifying criteria, and a three yearly full review.

SEM CIC Terms and Conditions Sept 22 apply

Complete this short form to register your interest in applying for accreditation. We will then be in touch within 2 working days to provide more information and answer any questions you may have.