Led by the Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF), a group of Ottawa-based organizations have come together to support new social enterprises through Social Enterprise Stimulus Ottawa (SESO). SESO will provide opportunities within, but not limited to, key sectors of Ottawa’s economy: Government, hi-tech, tourism, construction and retail. While operating an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable business, social enterprise recipients will focus on maximizing the benefits of their operations for their owners, employees and community. The key benefit of this initiative to Ottawa will be the creation of decent jobs in the city, particularly for groups that are traditionally marginalized in the labor market.
The partners will work collectively to provide a suite of wrap-around services.
- The Centre for Innovative Social Enterprise Development (CISED) offers support in English for social enterprises in Ottawa, including access to technical expertise, coaching, financing, training, and cross-sector partnerships.
- MécènESS provides technical assistance to French social enterprise promoters, delivers training, provides personalized accompaniment, coaching and mentorship and develops social enterprise resources.
- Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario (CCO) provides education, promotion, coordination and advisory services to Ontario Francophone cooperatives and social enterprises.
- Invest Ottawa offers economic development programs in the area of entrepreneurship mentorship, start-up development, business incubation, commercialization, targeted sector development and investment attraction.
To find out more, contact socialenterprise at oclf.org
