WHAT IS A WOODLAND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?
Social enterprises trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment. They make their money from selling goods and services in the open market, but they reinvest their profits back into the business or the local community. And so when they profit, society profits.
Woodland social enterprise is a term we use when we talk about social enterprises which embed woodlands or woodland products into their core activity. It’s an intentionally broad term that takes into account things like the production of woodfuel and timber, right through to woodlands being used in an educational or health and well-being setting.
The marriage of social enterprise with the woodland and forestry sectors brings together innovative ideas and diverse approaches, from new forms of active management, to generating income, employment and volunteering opportunities, and creating new, strong connections between communities and their local woods.
Click here to read more about the definition of woodland social enterprise in our programme manager’s reflections on woodland social enterprise models and approaches, and here to read our news and see some fantastic examples of woodland social enterprises that we’re supporting through the programme.
