Consultation | Definition of Social Enterprise in Northern Ireland

The Department for the Economy has launched a public consultation on a definition framework for social enterprises in Northern Ireland

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is seeking views on a definition framework for social enterprises in Northern Ireland. This is a proposed new policy approach, with potential to be adopted by government departments in the delivery of funding support to the sector.

A clear definition will help ensure that funding and support to grow the social enterprise sector are targeted correctly.

What this consultation aims to achieve

Since 2024, a cross departmental Social Enterprise Policy Group has worked with DfE to draft a series of criteria to reflect the different stages a social enterprise organisation the various stages of development and growth for social enterprise organisations. This work has resulted in a draft three-tier framework.

The consultation questions aim to determine whether the three-tier framework:

• contains the most effective criteria by which an organisation can define its entity
• can clearly differentiate the various organisations in the social economy sector
• uses realistic income and profit percentages to disaggregate charitable and trading businesses
• can effectively guide future use

Information sessions

Three information sessions have been scheduled to support the consultation:

Consultation Info Session: Defining Social Enterprise in Northern Ireland | Limavady
Wednesday 12 November 2025, 10:30 am to noon

Consultation Info Session: Defining Social Enterprise in Northern Ireland | Dungannon
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 10:30 am to noon

Consultation Info session: Defining Social Enterprise in Northern Ireland | online
Monday 24 November 2025, 10:30 am to noon

How to respond

You can share your views online by Tuesday 23 December 2025.

If this is not possible, you can email your response to: socialeconomy@economy-ni.gov.uk.

First published 31 October 2025