SOCIAL VALUE CONFERENCE 2025

Social Enterprise NI is delighted to announce that the highly anticipated Social Value Conference 2025, is taking place on Thursday 13 March at Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast.

This half-day, flagship event will bring together leaders from the public and private sector, policymakers, and of course social entrepreneurs to champion the role of social enterprises in driving economic growth, social impact, and sustainability across Northern Ireland.

With a dynamic agenda featuring expert speakers, panel discussions, interactive masterclasses, and high-impact networking opportunities, this year’s conference is set to be a gamechanger for the sector.

Key Highlights:

• Exclusive Headline Speaker: Heidi Fisher MBE, social enterprise expert and founder of Make an Impact CIC, will share how organisations can harness the power of social value to secure public contracts and drive meaningful change.
• Inspiring Keynotes & Policy Updates: Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald, will outline the growing importance of social enterprises in Northern Ireland’s economy, followed by an insightful update from Lisa Beers (Strategic Investment Board) on the impact locally of the Procurement Act 2023.
• Scaling for Impact: Hear from award-winning social enterprises such as Workspace (NI and UK 2024 Social Enterprise of the Year) and ACT – Accelerating Change Together as they share their strategies for leveraging the social enterprise model to achieve sustainable growth.
• Public Sector Panel Discussion: Experts from leading social enterprises and public sector representatives will explore how government bodies can better support the growth and impact of social enterprises. More details to follow!
• B2B Marketplace Networking: A dedicated space for businesses, investors, and social enterprises to connect, collaborate, and explore new opportunities.
• Breakout Masterclasses: Covering key topics such as Marketing Mastery, Investment Readiness, Access to Finance, Innovation, and Understanding Social Value, with industry-leading experts providing practical insights.
• And lastly, but not least, the return of Dragons Den, kindly sponsored by Community Finance Ireland. No Social Enterprise NI conference would be complete without it. Come and hear five shortlisted social enterprises go head-to-head, pitching for a £1,500 prize to help scale their impact.

This is a “Must-Attend Event for Changemakers”

Colin Jess, CEO of Social Enterprise NI, expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s conference:

“The Social Value Conference is a crucial platform for showcasing the remarkable innovation and resilience of Northern Ireland’s social enterprises. With a focus on scaling impact, fostering collaboration, and unlocking new opportunities, this event is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about using business as a force for good. So, if you want to learn more about the social economy, make sure to register and put this date in your diary.”

Join the Movement

The Social Value Conference 2025 is open to social entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and organisations from all sectors looking to engage with and support the thriving social enterprise community.

FREE Tickets are available now – visit www.socialenterpriseni.org to secure your place. But hurry as places are now limited!

For media enquiries, interviews, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Rachel Creagh | rachel@socialenterpriseni.org  | 07734590315