Co-ops get Mark input

August 07 2009

A working group has been set up to help formulate guidelines to assist co-operatives in applying for the Social Enterprise Mark.

Co-operatives UK is working with Rise — the Mark’s founders — to ensure co-ops can take advantage of the upcoming certification system by working out a key set of indicators.

Those indicators are likely to state that “profit is predominantly used and/or distributed for social/environmental purposes” and co-ops must “be able to provide evidence that social/environmental objectives are being achieved”.

Lucy Findlay, Chief Executive of Rise, commented: “Demand for the Social Enterprise Mark is growing at a huge rate, contrary to a recent report. This joint working is a really important step forward, and a positive move for co-operatives and the Mark.”