The Advanced Diploma in Social Enterprise is presented by SSEI in collaboration with the Ulster University Business School. Funding is mainly provided in the form of £1000 bursaries through the Flax Trust without which this programme would not be viable.

Introduction & Overview

The School for Social Enterprises in Ireland (SSEI) is the sole organisation in Ireland devoted exclusively to leadership, management and business development programmes and events for the social economy sector. Founded in 2005, SSEI was formed as a strategic alliance between The Flax Trust and Ulster University, designed to promote sustainable community enterprise and economic development in Ireland.

The 2016 Advanced Diploma in Social Enterprise (ADSE) commenced in January with some 20 participants successfully gaining a place and a Flax Trust Bursary.

Again, there was a stimulating mix of experience, academic backgrounds, personal journeys and areas of interest. It is encouraging to note that there was a higher level of academic achievement and job roles within this cohort. When this was combined with the academic and visiting exemplars, the participants experienced a rich blend of theory and practice leading to their personal development and the growth of their organisation or enterprise. Over the years this twin approach has been evidenced through the production of enterprise ideas, nurtured through to robust business plans.

The ADSE 2016 Cohort represent organisations that are currently operating as a social enterprise or have a desire to establish a social enterprise to help deliver products and services that meet social needs and increased economic benefit for individuals and communities. In most cases the primary focus of the

organisations represented on the programme is to provide products and services that reach out to those who are marginalised or disadvantaged.