Hazel Blears has announced the creation of a Social Enterprise Unit in the Department of Communities and Local Government, “to make sure that community enterprise runs right through my Department’s DNA”. Her speech at the Voice08 conference yesterday (27th February) also indicated that there could be more DCLG support for social enterprises too, soon, http://www.communities.gov.uk/speeches/communities/705125.

High profile businesses are also being brought in to “explore innovative ways of using their expertise and resources to help local community organisations to build stronger community enterprises and ensure more effective use of their assets” - http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/705131.

The Department of Health’s Social Enterprise Investment Fund had a funding increase of £27 million announced at the same time, taking it to £100 million. The Fund supports the development of social enterprises such as women’s refuges, migraine clinics and exercise programmes for the elderly. News release at http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=355787&NewsAreaID=2, DH social enterprise information at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Commissioning/Socialenterprise/index.htm.

And third sector minister Phil Hope has said that the “radical proposal” to set up a £10 million Risk Capital fund for social enterprises will go ahead. After tendering, one or more independent fund managers will be appointed, with applications expected to open in the autumn. News release at http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=355923&NewsAreaID=2.

A new £3 million grant scheme for youth projects across Scotland is to be funded from the proceeds of crime.

Scottish Government news release at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/15094650.

Following the government’s announcement that every child in England should be offered at least 5 hours of high quality culture per week in and out of school, they are seeking expressions of interest from partnerships wishing to explore how this could be achieved.

Deadline for submissions is 7th April. Find out more at Creative Partnerships, http://www.creative-partnerships.com/offer.

Projects of museums, libraries and archives that can promote a better understanding of 20th century conflict can apply for money from the ‘Their Past Your Future’ fund.

While the MLA press release refers to England, other parts of the UK also appear to be covered - http://www.mla.gov.uk/news/press_releases/TYPF_two.

Applications by 23rd May.

In Kind Direct, the charity that redistributes surplus products from businesses to member voluntary organisations (not necessarily registered charities), is dropping its annual registration fee following operating savings.

Do note that often the material is in huge packs or batches, and can go fast. See http://www.inkinddirect.org.

(From Third Sector news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/784535/.)

Community Accountancy Self Help and Community Matters have produced Community Money Matters, a “comprehensive guide to financial management and accounting for small charities and community organisations”.

Written from experience by a community accountant, the 200 plus pages can be downloaded (pdf, 879kb) from http://www.communitymatters.org.uk/resources/docs/Moneymatters.pdf.

Note: the examples and illustrations are separate downloads on Cash-Online web site (the main document is there too): http://www.cash-online.org.uk/content/4/70/.

The Edge Upstarts Awards, which “recognise excellence in all aspects of social enterprise, including providing a rich learning environment for the young and disadvantaged”, are open for nominations to 18th May. Categories are Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Social Enterprise of the Year, Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Social Enterprise Mentor of the Year, Social Enterprise Trainee of the Year. See http://www.edgeupstarts.org/2008/home.

The Beacon Prize recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution in giving time, money or skills to a specific cause. Five categories of awards (Leadership, Community Builder, New Initiatives, Creative Giving, Young Philanthropist) plus regional ones for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. By 1st May, http://www.beaconfellowship.org.uk/nominate_2008.asp.

The Charity Awards run by Plaza Publishing are open for entries to 14th March - http://www.charityawards.co.uk.

The Youth Council for Northern Ireland has launched three small grants short term programmes that are looking for applications, for up to £5000, to be submitted by 29th February. The 3 areas are: Equipment, Creativity and Healthy Living for Young People.

See http://www.ycni.org. (Source: CommunityNI)

English umbrella body NCVO has released research from its first ever Civil Society Almanac (building on previous Voluntary Sector Almanacs) which shows that there are more charities in affluent areas than in poor ones. While there are some tentative suggestions for why, your editor agrees that the main conclusion is the need for further research, given the difficulty of distinguishing between where charities are based and where they operate.

NCVO news release at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=8228, and see Society Guardian’s Charities supplement produced for NCVO conference, at http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2008/feb/20/charities.

The Euclid Network, of European voluntary sector leaders, has welcomed proposals by the European Commission to make lobbying more transparent, but has called for greater clarification on how the plans will affect charities. Although NGOs are mentioned in connection with the register of interests, the proposed code of conduct does not include a specific category.

See Third Sector news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/784532/ (registration required) - Euclid Network is at http://www.euclidnetwork.eu.

A new publication aims to set out the case for migrant and refugee community organisations (MRCOs) to act as providers of commissioned public services and “both to show commissioners why they should consider them, and help MRCOs understand and form their own views on what their potential roles could be”.

Published by Joseph Rowntree Foundation for Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust, ‘More responsive public services? A guide to commissioning migrant and refugee community organisations’ is available (pdf option is 607kb) from http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=941.

The Adventure Capital Fund, which in April takes over running the Futurebuilders investment fund to increase sector public service delivery, has pledged to speed up the application process.

Third Sector news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/784672/ (registration required).