Skills for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) is a global programme operated by the British Council and its partners that supports organisations known as social enterprises which employ business approaches to meet social and environmental needs and make a positive impact in their communities.  

SSE provides aspiring and practising social entrepreneurs as well NGO practitioners, community leaders, development workers and young people with skills training and professional mentoring along with access to UK expertise, global peer networks and funding opportunities that enable them to build successful social enterprises.  

The programme also forms partnerships with national and international organisations, businesses and social investors that fund, mentor and support social enterprises.  

In addition, SSE organises public-engagement activities and policy dialogues which promote the social enterprise model, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable economic development at local, national and international levels.  

Through such initiatives, the programme showcases UK best practice and prominence in the sector, supports the development of CSR and social enterprise in participating countries and fosters dialogue and partnerships between social entrepreneurs in the UK and participating countries.  

Launched in 2009, the programme is currently run in China, Croatia, Georgia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam.