Social enterprise

Manchester Social Economy Alliance Soup Event

Connecting communities across Greater Manchester and beyond to raise awareness of local social ventures

Come and socialise at this SOUP event or pitch your ideas to some of Manchester’s successful social entrepreneurs and business support providers, enjoy some amazing food and secure as many votes as you can to take home a pot of cash to help you get your idea started.

There will be a guaranteed £250 in cash prize for the winner to grow their idea.

Dahlia Cafe, Burnage Lane, Manchester, M19 1FL

Beyond Profit: Innovation for Social Value

How do we build a future where commercial success and community impact go hand in hand?

"Social value" is no longer just a corporate social responsibility checkbox - it is a powerful driver of funding, procurement, and cross-sector partnerships. As an ecosystem activator and neutral convener, Venture Café invites you to look beyond profit and explore how intentional innovation can solve some of society's most pressing challenges.

SISTER, Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, Manchester, M1 7JR

CHARIT:AI Conference 2026

Free practical Generative AI education for the charity and community sector.

The VCSE sector is being asked to do more with less – and Generative AI is one of the most powerful tools within reach to help. But honest, jargon-free guidance on how to use it well shouldn’t depend on your budget. 

That’s why this CHARIT:AI Conference is completely free to attend.

The Hub, Hattersley, Greater Manchester, SK14 6AF

NCVO strategy launch webinar - Together for a stronger society

Join NCVO for the launch of their new strategy, as they share their vision, direction and ambition for the years ahead.

Civil society is operating in an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment.

Developed through engagement with members, partners, colleagues and stakeholders across civil society, NCVO’s new strategy sets out how we will continue to support, connect and champion charities and voluntary organisations in the years ahead.

This launch webinar will explore:

Online

Community Matters: Governance – What's the Right Structure?

There is a wide range of not-for-profit structures ranging from registered charities to community interest companies. They all have specific benefits, and some drawbacks. This session will look at the main structures, and explain the benefits and issues associated with each of them.

Online

Inspire Fest 2026 - 4 July

Tales to Inspire warmly invites you to attend Inspire Fest, a one-day immersion into the heart of the UK's changemakers. This isn’t a corporate conference; it’s a gathering of humans from all walks of life who refused to stay silent, stay small and chose to make a difference instead, in their lives and in their communities. 

Leave the negativity at the door and join Tales to Inspire in the heart of Manchester for a day that will prove, once and for all, that hope is alive and well.

Four Pillars of Inspiration

NPC: Theory of change in ten steps

A theory of change process encourages us to reflect on our aims and plans, to discuss them with others, and to make them explicit. We see this process as the foundation of strategy, evaluation and communication. This seminar will run through how to develop a theory of change, based on our published guidance Theory of change in ten steps.

Online

Manchester Community Central: Business & VCSE Connect

Join Manchester Community Central for this event all about helping businesses to work with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in a mutually beneficial way.

Manchester Community Central's purpose is to encourage, support and develop VCSE organisations and local people to have a real influence over the places and communities in which they live.

St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ

A Guide to the CIC Online Process

Join the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies on 17 March for a step-by-step guide on how to successfully incorporate your Community Interest Company (CIC) online.

Take this opportunity to learn how to successfully complete an online CIC incorporation application from start to finish. There will also be an overview of Community Interest Companies provided, along with some guidance on preparing your Articles of Association and completing form CIC36.