To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister how social enterprises and entrepreneurs are being encouraged to make use of Social Enterprise Hubs to gain business advice and practical support.

Accelerating Social Enterprise is part of the unique approach by the Executive to tackle poverty and social exclusion.

The Delivering Social Change framework represents a new level of joined-up working by Ministers and senior officials across Executive departments to drive through initiatives which have a genuine impact on the ground and helping to break the long term cycle of multi-generational poverty.

It is about creating a new culture and focus on cross-cutting work to achieve social benefits and through the Accelerating Social Enterprise Signature Programme, Social Enterprise Hubs are now operational across the nine Social Investment Fund (SIF) zone areas. Programme delivery is designed to encourage local social entrepreneurs and enterprises to gain access to and make use of the Hubs.

Nine Delivery Agents have been appointed in each of the nine Social Investment Fund zone areas to deliver a range of business support services to new incubating social enterprises in local communities throughout Northern Ireland. Each Hub contract is being managed by a Hub manager and delivery team with the relevant expertise to develop social enterprises. The support services being provided include ideas generation training, action planning, mentoring and business planning.

The Social Enterprise Hubs provide shop front retail space; hot-desking facilities; conference / meeting rooms; training suites; general workspace; and areas from where, depending on the business sector, social economy businesses can operate on a ‘test-trading’ basis.

The Delivery Agents are working with various community organisations through a structured community engagement process. The Agents are also working with a stakeholder group to ensure that Hub delivery is covered across the entire Social Investment Fund zone area.

The Programme is also being promoted to potential clients across Northern Ireland through various launch and social enterprise events, web and social media and press coverage.

As at 31 August 2014, the Social Enterprise Hubs have helped eight new enterprises begin to test-trade across Northern Ireland. These enterprises include craft collectives, a digital media company, musical therapy, addiction training and support service and a social farm.