Social economy usually develops because of a need to find new and innovative solutions to issues and to satisfy the needs of members and users which have been ignored or inadequately fulfilled by the private or public sectors. The social economy is not profit driven, instead, it emphasizes the social benefit. The social economy spans economic activity in the community, voluntary and social enterprise sectors. By using solutions to achieve not-for-profit aims, social economy has a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive society.

In November 2006 the Beijing Municipal Government issued a policy statement which includes announcing the need to foster the development of social economy.  The social economy is expected as a means to contribute to building harmonious society.  There have already a few social economy activities emerged at community level.

In the UK, social economy developed in the context of the failure of ‘welfare state’ and the ‘from welfare to job opportunity’ reform adopted by Blair’s government. There are a lot of experience and good examples in this area which could be a good reference for Beijing.

British Council Beijing office is working with a Beijing Group to explore how the social economy meets the diversified needs from the local community residents. It will look at the role of social enterprises in this area in particular.  The cooperation project is likely to include visits to the UK for social entrepreneurs from four districts of Beijing and a separate official level visit by officials from the Beijing Government and Central Government.