Bristol Credit Union
is well equipped to take advantage of the expected changes in credit union
legislation thanks to a subordinated loan from The Co-operative Loan Fund.

The Legislative Reform Order due to
be laid before Parliament in October will give credit unions the flexibility to
accept local community groups, companies and social enterprises into membership
and to extend membership to new groups of people, such as housing association
tenants and employees of nationwide companies. This will allow large numbers of
people to benefit from credit union services for the first time.

Bristol Credit Union is using the
loan from The Co-operative Loan Fund as resource capital that will be used to provide
members with greater lending opportunities and investment capital over the
coming years. The loan is the final part of The Co-operative Loan Fund’s
2004 initiative, in which over £200,000 was allocated to help support credit
unions in the UK.

Bristol Credit Union was developed in
2005 and 2006 through a partnership of smaller community credit unions, and it
is now proud to offer financial support to the city of Bristol and its surrounding area. The members
of the credit union share a common bond of living in and around Bristol and this
has resulted in the city becoming more inclusive, and benefitting from greater
economic activity and a lower risk of financial exclusion. There are now over 4,500
members in Bristol Credit Union, plus local organisations, landlords and advice
agencies who work alongside the credit union to benefit its savers and
borrowers.

In addition to the wide range of
savings accounts on offer, Bristol Credit Union also welcomes loan applications
from its members, who are safe in the knowledge that by law, their interest
rates will be lower than two percent per month on the reducing balance of the
loan. It is credit union policy to meet the borrowing requirements of as many
members as possible, depending on the available funds, and the loan from The
Co-operative Loan Fund will ensure Bristol Credit Union have sufficient money
to meet the needs of its investors for the foreseeable future.

Speaking about the loan, Bristol
Credit Union Chief Executive James Berry said: “Bristol Credit Union is
delighted to receive this loan from The Co-operative Loan Fund, as it
represents a vote of confidence in us and our future development plans. The
loan enables us to maintain a comfortable capital to assets ratio through an
expected period of fast growth, and helps us to develop further services for
our members, many of whom are financially excluded. Bristol Credit Union has
over 4,500 members across Bristol,
working together for mutual financial benefit. By building a strong capital
base we can help members by encouraging further saving deposits, and
investigate mortgage lending too. It is great to work with an organisation that
understands credit unions and co-operatives.”

The loan is very unusual in the sense
that it is subordinated, which means that in the unfortunate event that credit
union suffers severe financial problems, The Co-operative Loan Fund ranks below
the credit union savers on the creditors list. In addition, the credit union
only needs to make interest-only payments for 10 years and then repay the lump
sum, which relieves a lot of pressure for Bristol Credit Union.

Ian Taylor
at The Co-operative Loan Fund added: “This is the third subordinated loan
we have made to credit unions, and in the current financial climate we believe
it has come at a crucial time. The money will be used to ensure Bristol Credit
Union can support its members and help them overcome the difficult financial
times ahead. We are pleased to be able to offer our support to an organisation
such as Bristol Credit Union, which puts its member’s interests first and
promotes a strong community ethos.”

Brought to you by Social Enterprise
magazine, in partnership with the Department of Communities and Local
Government, the Office of the Third Sector and NESTA, Good Deals is
back with one bold aim: to bring together the most inspirational social
entrepreneurs with the most innovative investors to get good deals done.
Space is limited so book now to make sure you don’t miss your chance to meet over 100 social investors

The full programme can be found at www.good-dealsuk.com. Highlights include:

• Social investment: the new engine of social, environmental and economic change?
• Getting investment ready – understanding what type of finance you need, assessing risk and return, approaching investors
• Investing in communities – social impact bonds, community shares and making best use of physical assets
• The
  Good Deals pitches – social entrepreneurs will face a panel of leading
  social investors to find out if they will sink or swim. If you would
  like to be considered as a pitcher, find out more here
• Supply
  and demand – Good Deals ‘09 is in the process of handpicking a
  selection of real life examples of successful good deals. Both investor
  and investee will discuss the secrets behind their success. The names
  will be revealed shortly

As a valued reader of Social Enterprise LIVEWIRE, you can claim a 10% discount if you book before the 18th September.
Click here and enter LW09 into the ID Code box after entering your email to claim your discount

The
investors, speakers and the Good Deals team hope you’ll be able to join
us for what promises to be the landmark conference for social
investment.

Best wishes,
Deniz Hassan
Good Deals – The National Social Investment Conference
020 853 8890
conference@socialenterprisemag.co.uk
p.s. don’t forget to check out our daily social enterprise news service at www.socialenterpriselive.com

p.p.s. feel free to pass this discount onto a friend…I won’t tell if you won’t! Just click here

The Recycle
Warehouse is an online department
store that is championing the environment and fighting climate change.
Their object is to be the next John Lewis, except that every
item at The
Recycle Warehouse is made
from recycled materials. 

The Recycle
Warehouse was launched this
year by John Halladay.

‘By buying from us, you are relieving
pressure on the world’s diminishing resources. Our inventory includes
chairs made from recycled cardboard, shoes from recycled tyres and whole
dining services made from recycled glass and much more.’

Six months after its launch The Recycle Warehouse displays hundreds of items –

‘…about 400 at the moment, still
increasing, all of which are made predominantly or wholly from recycled
materials. We have a rule that the items must have at least 50% recycled
content but most are much higher.’

Although it is a distinction that John
doesn’t make on the website his goods fall into two categories. On
the one hand it is easy to see what some of his things originally were.
Take a footstool made from recycled tyres, the tread is clearly visible
around the edge. It’s funky and loud and a real conversation piece.

‘This is taking something which had
a defined use and subverting it into something that is functionally
completely different. On the other hand, some of our furniture or our
tableware bears no relationship to the original use to which its raw
material was put. People can make a statement – I’m a hardcore
environmentalist: look at my
wastebin, it’s made from crisp packets! But they can buy a bed
or dining table that’s made to their own design from reclaimed timber
by a professional craftsman, that doesn’t look any different to a
conventional, well-crafted piece.’

‘Our goal is to show that every day
goods can be made from recycled materials and that they are just as
good as new. As well as the quirky – bags made from chewing gum wrappers
or ringpulls, bowls made out of remoulded LP records – we have beautiful,
functional furniture that is handmade from reclaimed wood, including
oak and teak which you just can’t buy any more in a sustainable way; 
designer clothes made from recycled fabrics, that can’t be bought
in any High Street shops.’

Many of the goods on sale through The Recycle Warehouse are made by charities.

‘Doy Bags are one of the best
known manufacturers in the recycling market. Made by a women’s collective
in The Philippines, their bags are colourful and exciting, woven from
reclaimed fruit juice packs. We supply garden furniture made by a charity
in Oxford that employs people with learning disabilities, and we support
other charities in various parts of the world.’

It’s a quirky site that makes its environmental
message clear on every page and it isn’t above being dogmatic about
climate change. This isn’t just about profit. 

At The
Recycle Warehouse they have
simple principles:

• sustainability comes first,
  profit comes second;
• business has to lead the way
  in the war against climate change;
• recycling is an alternative
  to the exploitation of the world’s finite resources
• this isn’t commerce, this
  is a Crusade.

John Halladay is a Board Member of Friends
of the Earth and a local Greenpeace activist.

Global responsible investment research specialist EIRIS, Centre for Australian Ethical Research (CAER)
and Survival International are supporting a United Nations Principles
for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) programme to facilitate engagement
between investors and their investee companies to promote and respect
the rights of indigenous peoples around the world.

The UN PRI collaborative engagement draws on latest research from EIRIS which explores
the challenges and opportunities faced by major companies operating in
parts of the world where the rights of indigenous peoples are
threatened.¹

According
to the United Nations there are 370 million indigenous people in the
world and 5,000 distinct indigenous cultural identities in more than 70
countries. There are believed to be more than 100 uncontacted groups in the world. Although indigenous people only account for 5% of the world’s population, they account for over 15% of the world’s poor.

Companies
engaging in activities that may infringe the rights of indigenous
peoples, as enshrined within the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, face increasing reputational risks potentially
leading to issues with access to capital, damage to brand, licence to
operate, and operational risks such as the threat of litigation and
increased regulation.

The EIRIS report Indigenous rights: risks and opportunities for investors
highlights the rights of indigenous peoples as a key human rights issue
that companies and their investors should take into account. It covers
companies operating in sectors (mining, oil & gas, agricultural
producers and forestry paper) and countries considered to be high risk
for indigenous peoples. The research also highlights key risks areas
which investors should consider when engaging with companies on
indigenous rights issues such as access to investment capital;
increased regulation; litigation and reputational risk. 

Key findings:

- Big companies at risk: 250 companies (with a total market value of GBP 1.7 trillion)
have been identified as having an exposure to indigenous rights. 17% of
companies have a high risk exposure to indigenous rights issues.

- Few companies report on indigenous rights issues: The
quality of reporting is generally poor: whilst most companies provide a
response to allegations of breaches of indigenous rights few report
voluntarily on areas of non-compliance.

- Fewer than 20% of companies have adopted a policy supporting free prior informed consent² for indigenous peoples:19%
of these companies have a corporate-wide indigenous rights policy. Only
15% of companies have a corporate-wide policy supporting free prior
informed consultation.

- Only a fifth of companies disclose employment data on indigenous people:19% of companies disclose employment data on indigenous peoples.

- Fewer than 10% of companies have a policy for involuntary resettlement:  Just over 6% of companies have a policy covering involuntary resettlement.

Given
the level of NGO and media attention to the issue of indigenous
peoples’ rights and the introduction of laws and regulation in many
countries, companies with strong commitments and effective engagement
processes will undoubtedly benefit in an environment where access to
land and resources is becoming increasingly restricted.

Stephanie
Maier, Head of Research at EIRIS said ‘Indigenous rights is a complex
issue that companies and their investors need to address and is
especially important for extractive companies as they seek to expand
and gain access to land. Our research explores the challenges and
opportunities faced by major companies operating in parts of the world
where the rights of indigenous peoples are threatened. We are very
pleased to be working with the UN PRI and Survival International on
this important area of engagement.’

Stephen Corry, Director at Survival International said ‘Investors
must use their considerable power to persuade companies to respect and
protect the rights of indigenous peoples, otherwise they risk being
charged with complicity in abuses they bankroll. As EIRIS has shown,
this vital issue is chronically under-reported by companies. The United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO
convention 169 should be used as benchmarks for the development of
company policies on indigenous rights. Companies that fail to gain the
free, prior informed consent of indigenous communities affected by
their projects are in flagrant breach of international law.’

Bob Walker VP Sustainability at the Ethical Funds of Canada said ‘The risks from
indigenous Peoples’ opposition to specific projects is real and
material for investors. But corporations also have an enormous
opportunity to contribute to both economic and community development in
the regions where they operate.  This new research from EIRIS is a
useful addition to our toolkit for encouraging greater corporate
transparency that will undoubtedly benefit companies in an environment
where access to land and resources is coming under increasing pressure
globally.’

Click here (http://www.eiris.org/files/research%20publications/indigenousrightsjun09.pdf) to download a copy of the research report.

Press contact: mark.robertson@eiris.org +44 (0)20 7840 5741, +44 (0)7950 931313

As part of Article 13’s United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) commitments (http://www.article13.com/csr/ungc_iip_values.asp) for 2009 to ‘work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery’, we have written the first of a series of  five best practice cases studies on Transparency and Anti-Corruption (T & AC).  The aim of the case studies are to disseminate T & AC best practice and to advocate take up, to our network of partners, clients, associates and the Article 13 visitors through the use of a well recognised organisation/ brand.

This case study focuses on the Ford Motor Company’s (Ford)  T & AC
policies. To conduct this case study, there was an interview with David
Berdish, Manager of Sustainable Business Development for Ford Motor
Company who also manages Ford’s Human Rights Code of Basic Working
Conditions.

Ford is the fourth largest manufacturer and
distributor of automobiles based on worldwide vehicle sales and remains
one of the world’s ten largest corporations by revenue (www.ford.com).
The case study identifies in great depth, the following:

1.The company
2.The key drivers for change integrating T & AC
a.US legal framework
b.Globalisation
3.Transparency and Anti-corruption
a.Policies and initiatives
b.Reporting
4.Challenges to Transparency and Anti-corruption
a.Globalisation
5.Conclusion

For full case study see:
URL: http://www.article13.com/UNGC/Ford%20anti-corruption%20case%20study.pdf

Climate
change is a very high profile topic with everybody trying to jump on
the
bandwagon, and financial institutions are no exception. Ethical
investment is a
great opportunity for conscientious investors to help with the future
of our
planet, but are all the funds that claim to be ethical really committed
or are
we just seeing a token burst of green wash?

www.investing-ethically.co.uk

You
might think climate change is the single biggest issue facing us, and
perhaps
you agree that it needs a huge financial input to even scratch the
surface of
the problem. If you are thinking about doing your bit by investing in a
climate
change fund, you may be surprised if you look below the surface and
discover
just how ‘green’ some of these funds really are.

‘Climate
change’ is a broad term that is applied to any fund that claims to be
investing in companies that have something to do with tackling climate
change
issues. They range from very general funds that invest in almost
anything
(including arms and tobacco) as long as it has a suitably strong
recycling
policy, to very specific funds that invest only in one specific part of
one
specific sector such as renewable energy.

They
are different from traditional ethically screened funds because they
are not
concerned with negative screening or engagement. They positively
screen, some
very specifically whilst others are very vague.

To
throw a little light on this subject, we have reviewed 12 climate
change funds
and revealed some interesting facts:

8
out of these 12 funds invest in the nuclear industry – claiming that
its
better the world doesn’t fry, even if it means risking another
Chernobyl!

One
invests in BAE Systems, presumably on the basis that they are
developing less
environmentally harmful bombs.

One
fund even has the following negative comment:

• “Extremely
  inclusive fund with exposure to arms, tobacco, mining as well as
  nuclear – 10% of fund goes into companies that could be deemed to be
  connected to climate change in any meaningful sense.
• Short
  track record.

• Very high (and
  unreasonable!) ongoing costs with the performance related fee

The
best performing fund was the Schroder’s Global Climate Change fund
- the worst the Guinness Alternative Energy Fund with a 44%+ difference
in the returns.

So
are climate change funds “ethical funds” in the traditional sense?
Not really, but perhaps they fall into the “Socially Responsible
Investment” camp. The jury’s out on this one so we suggest you
judge for yourself.  We’ve made the report available on our web site
(www.investing-ethically.co.uk)
and I’d be very interested in your comments.

The
Bristol Vegan Fayre May 30^th
and 31^st
2009

Now
in its 7^th
year, the Bristol Vegan Fayre continues to be the biggest vegan
gathering anywhere in the world, with record crowds expected for this
year’s event after the near sell out 2008 show which saw over
11,000 visitors over the 2 days

Organised
by Bristol based firm Yaoh, The BVF 09 is once again an eclectic mix
of all things vegan, with 100 stalls including 20 caterers with vegan
food from all over the globe, plus 40 talks and cookery demos over
the weekend, and an amazing line up of entertainment for the whole
family.

The
acoustic stage sees a variety of musical talent throughout the
weekend including acts such as Bristol jazz combo Kev & Mike’s
Groovy Thing and local legends Dub From Atlantis, plus headliners
SohoDolls on Saturday, right opposite the onsite licensed bar. There
is also a performance stage in the amphitheatre with Brazilian
Dancers and Sikh swordsmen amongst others, and the Kids Area is
rammed to the rafters with an assortment of magic shows and workshops
for the nippers

But
The Main Stage once again grabs the headlines with some truly
excellent acts on later in the day – The Saturday line up is
definitely party time with The King Blues on the Main Stage at 5pm,
with Ian Dury’s band The Blockheads headlining Saturday at 9pm.
Sunday sees reggae uberstar Horace Andy (famed for his work on the
Massive Attack albums) take the stage at 7pm along with his band Dub
Asante, with Macka B fresh from headlining last years St Pauls
carnival live on stage Sunday 5pm.

The
show starts at 11am both days and runs to 10.30 pm on Saturday and
8.30 pm Sunday. Tickets each day are £8 in advance, £10 on the gate
before 5pm and £12 after 5pm. Kids under 12 come in for £4 each
day, and babies under 12 months come in for free. For advance tickets
go to www.yaoh.co.uk/catalog
- also available from The Bristol Ticket Shop

The
event website is www.bristol.veganfayre.co.uk

Contact
Yaoh on 0117 9239053 or email info@yaoh.co.uk

Thanks
to all our sponsors including Bute Island, Beanie’s, The Vegan
Society, Off The Hoof, VitaMix, VeggieSnow, Mad Promotions,
VeggieVision, Foods For Life, Shakeaway, Community Foods, Kingfisher
Toothpaste and Excellart

Trusts
and foundations should consider environmental, social and governance
(ESG) risks and opportunities in their investments to safeguard value
and protect the interests of future beneficiaries -according to new
research released today by the EIRIS Foundation.

Sustainable returns: The value of environmental, social and governance factors for Foundation investments
examines why issues such as climate change and corporate governance
pose financial risks and opportunities for trusts and foundations.

Despite
their role in supporting pioneering social and environmental projects
through grants, many trusts and foundations are still lagging behind
other asset owners when it comes to responsible investment. This can
lead to significant conflicts between mission and investments. 

The
financial crisis has highlighted the risks that all investors,
including trusts and foundations, are exposed to. It has underlined the
importance of responsible ownership and long-term investing which
require accountability, transparency, and the consideration of
‘extra-financial’ research in the investment process.

The
EIRIS Foundation’s new report sets out why these principles make sound
financial sense for trusts and foundations. It explores the growing
body of evidence to show how the integration of ESG risks and
opportunities into investment can safeguard and enhance value for
shareowners.

The paper also highlights the following steps
that trusts and foundations should take to ensure they are managing
investments in a responsible and sustainable way:

1) Agree a position on responsible investment
2) Research investment manager’s expertise and practice in ESG integration
3) Include ESG integration in the investment mandate
4) Join collaborative initiatives, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project
5) Vote shares on ESG related issues
6) Engage with companies directly or via investment managers
7) Invest in sustainability-themed funds such as greentech, microfinance or timber
Invest in responsible investment funds that use ESG integration

Report
author Sam Collin, Charity Adviser at the EIRIS Foundation, said
‘Responsible investment is nothing new – some charities have been doing
this for decades. There is compelling evidence that ESG issues have a
financial impact and this shouldn’t be ignored by trusts and
foundations. This fits clearly with the fiduciary duties of trustees
and with Charity Commission guidance. Trusts and foundations that fail
to take ESG  issues into account could be seen as acting imprudently
and failing to secure their long term financial sustainability.’

Alastair
Hanton, Chair of the EIRIS Foundation, added ‘The integration of ESG
factors into investment processes is now recognised by the mainstream
as a way to enhance value – as demonstrated by the $18 trillion worth
of signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible
Investment. It’s not enough to just assume that ESG issues are being
integrated into the investment process. Acting as responsible owners,
trusts and foundations should question and encourage their asset
managers to adopt and implement best practice in responsible
investment.’

Produced daily by the Social Enterprise Coalition

Force banks to
invest, says Blears

Coalition urges
public support for Government’s eco-towns programme

Renewable energy
co-operative will help Cumbrian farmers

Continue reading for lots more…

National

Force banks to
invest, says Blears

Henry Palmer,
Social Enterprise Magazine

Government is
considering powerful legislation which could compel banks and
building societies to finance investment vehicles set up to invest in
social enterprises and marginalised communities, a senior cabinet
minister has confirmed. In a lecture at the House of Commons last
night, communities secretary Hazel Blears said she was interested in
legislation based on the US Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which
was introduced in the late 1970s to outlaw discriminatory practices
by banks.

http://www.socialenterprisemag.co.uk/sem/news/detail/index.asp?id=956

Third Sector
Partnership Board open for applications

Emily Twinch, Third
Sector Online

The Communities and
Local Government department is advertising for voluntary sector
experts to join its Third Sector Partnership Board. Ten places are
available on the board, which has been set up to give voluntary
sector organisations a say on CLG policy. The department wants people
who have experience in areas such as housing, regeneration, social
enterprise and race equality. The board will be chaired by CLG
minister Baroness Andrews and will be a forum “through which the
third sector can contribute to the aims and objectives of the
department”, according to the advert.

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/902133/Third-Sector-Partnership-Board-open-applications/

The rich tapestry
of LIVE

Albert Harvey,
Times Online

Livity’s Brixton
offices in a converted piano warehouse are not what you would expect
from any ordinary social enterprise. Teenagers who come to join the
award-winning youth run publication LIVE don’t expect such a
bright, colourful, professional office and clients coming to meet
socially responsible youth marketing agency Livity don’t expect a
hub of teenagers buzzing about the place.  It’s this blend of
youth and experience that has gained the organisation recognition
from Gordon Brown, who wrote a chapter about Livity in his book
Everyday Heroes,and Channel 4 who commissioned them to make
interactive TV show Dubplate Drama.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/related_reports/social_entrepreneurs/article6198251.ece

New Social
Enterprise Scheme On The Cards

j4b Community

Big Issue Invest, the
investment arm of Big Issue, is set to offer risk capital ranging
from £50,000 to £500,000 to organisations that demonstrate growth
potential and the ability to have a “significant social
impact”. Cash injections from their Social Enterprise
Investment Fund will be used as working capital, for capital
purchases, and for acquisitions of other businesses which will see
them turned into a social enterprise model. The fund is aiming
to act as “a vehicle to grow social enterprises that create greater
social opportunity and environmental sustainability in the UK while
demonstrating the viability of social investing to the wider
investment community”. 

http://www.j4bcommunity.co.uk/News.aspx?WCI=htmResults&WCU=CBC=View,SEARCH=DL00%3D20090401~pDH00%3D20090430,DSCODE=J4BGRV,NEWSITEMID=39-N6837

Paul Murphy
welcomes Future Jobs Funding for young jobseekers in Wales

Wired Gov

Around 7,500 jobs
could be created for under-25s in Wales as part of a new £1 billion
UK-wide initiative, Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy said
yesterday.

….Organisations will
be invited to bid for funding from the Future Jobs Fund through
the DWP. Bids will need to be in line with existing locally agreed
work and skills strategies and show that they do not replicate or
replace existing jobs. Other large organisations such as social
enterprises and voluntary sector bodies will be able to bid as long
as their proposals meet the criteria set out during the bidding
process.

http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/892F128ED161E566802575A80037C6F3?OpenDocument

Coalition urges
public support for Government’s eco-towns programme

Jon Land, 24dash

On the closing day of
consultation on the draft policy for eco-towns the cross-sector
coalition in support of the initiative outlined why the controversial
programme is so important to the future of housebuilding and the
environment.
….“But if the towns are to be truly eco-friendly,
the jobs they provide must be too and should include high levels of
social enterprise, community entrepreneurship and high quality
home-working.”

http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2009-04-30-Coalition-urges-public-support-for-Governments-eco-towns-programme

Long-term job
creation call

Jim Dunton, Local
Government Chronicle

The government’s
worklessness tsar has called on ministers to ensure their £1.1bn job
creation fund takes a longterm approach to tackling unemployment.
Councils, voluntary groups and social enterprises will be invited to
ask for cash to provide temporary jobs, mainly targeting under-25s
who have been out of work for a year or more, under the programme
which was unveiled in Alistair Darling’s Budget. Up to 150,000 jobs
lasting at least six months are due to be created. Some will begin in
October, but the bulk of the chosen projects are expected to start in
January 2010.

http://www.lgcplus.com/creditcrunch/2009/04/longterm_job_creation_call.html

More diversity in
journalism, demands Channel 4 anchor

Student Times

There is a growing
realisation within the media that diversity is important, Channel 4
and More 4 presenter Keme Nzerem said at the launch of social
enterprise People with Voices in Shoreditch, London last month.
 Zerem, who reported on President Obama’s campaign last year,
told an eager audience of aspiring journalists that a diverse pool of
talent can have an influence in the production process resulting in
improved
output.
http://www.studenttimes.org/st_news/news_article.php?article_id=492

Renewable energy
co-operative will help Cumbrian farmers

Farming UK

A renewable energy
co-operative has announced plans to make energy from farm muck and
help boost Cumbria’s farming economy

….CoRE NW will also
work with interested communities to set up and own any renewable
energy systems, including wood heating, solar panels and water
turbines. The initial work on Middle Farm has been funded by The Hub,
a social enterprise support project operating across West Cumbria
that is managed by the worker co-operative and co-operative
development specialists, Co-operative and Mutual Solutions.

http://www.farminguk.com/news/Renewable-energy-co-operative-will-help-Cumbrian-farmers15850.asp

Viglen awarded
contract to supply 70,000 computer systems to local and central UK
government organisations

M2

Viglen, a British
manufacturer and provider of IT solutions, announced on 30 April that
it has been awarded a contract by the Office of Government Commerce
(OGC) to supply a range of computer equipment to the public sector.
 
….The contract is a 24-month supply agreement with a
12-month extension period, and has the potential to grow further to
include educational establishments, charitable organisations, social
enterprises and the voluntary sector.

http://www.m2.com/m2/web/story.php/2009070C8E3CB6B651FC802575A800477F66

Scottish Series
promises bank holiday extravaganza

Yachts and Yachting

The Brewin Dolphin
Scottish Series, which takes place from 22-25 May, promises a weekend
jam-packed with activities for participants and spectators alike.

….To entertain the younger visitors during the weekend there
will be face painting, magic shows and games. In addition they can
have a go at sailing a dinghy courtesy of Stramash. The social
enterprise company is allowing budding sailors the chance to take to
the water throughout the weekend.

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=146282

Local

Enterprising kids
do the business

Liverpool City
Council

Children as young as
five are to be taught business skills in Liverpool. Sixty primary
schoolchildren, from 12 schools throughout the city, will be joining
Cllr Gary Millar, Executive Member for Enterprise and Tourism at
Liverpool City Council, on Wednesday 6 May to launch of the
“Enterprising kids? Let’s do business” Toolkit.

….”Andrew and I
passionately believe that if we can inspire and encourage this age
group to think business in a social enterprise way we can instil an
instinctive understanding of putting something back, having fun,
working together and making some money.”

http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/News/newsdetail_2998.asp

Questions over
finance mean bulky-waste collector is set to lose charity status

Michael Peel,
Halifax and Calderdale Evening Courier

THE firm appointed to
collect bulky household waste in Calderdale looks likely to be
stripped of its charitable status.
Orchard
Recycling Services began collecting furniture, electrical and other
household goods last week.
….Orchard’s founder, David
Greenhouse, said charitable status could be allowed to lapse because
of the restrictions it imposed. “We will never be anything but a
not-for-profit company because we are all about social enterprise,
but there are certain limitations which come with being a charity –
particularly when it comes to having access to
money.”
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Questions-over-finance-mean-bulkywaste.5219598.jp

Norwich politicians
’shop local’

Lorna Marsh, EDP 24

Politicians put their
money where their mouths are when they took up the gauntlet of only
shopping locally and recorded how they fared for all to see in an
internet diary. Former home secretary Charles Clarke, MP for Norwich
South, joined Labour party colleague Ian Gibson, MP for the north of
the city, and a host of councillors, for the challenge in the hope of
encouraging everyone in Norfolk to follow their lead. It was laid
down by social enterprise Buy Local Norfolk, which wanted public
figures and their partners to commit to shop locally for a minimum of
one week this month , buying both goods and services from their
area’s independent shops and suppliers.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED29%20Apr%202009%2020%3A20%3A45%3A713

Two firms relocate
to £6.4m Hednesford office scheme

Alun Thorne,
Birmingham Post

A new £6.4 million
office scheme in Hednesford has secured two lettings in a show of
faith for the regional out-of-town market.

….The location has
also been selected by PSS as the regional headquarters for an
innovative shared living scheme, as part of a strategy to double the
75 adult carers currently participating in the initiative throughout
Staffordshire by 2012. PSS is a social enterprise providing
community-based, social and health care services at neighbourhood
level, across England, central Scotland and north Wales.
http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2009/04/30/two-firms-relocate-to-6-4m-hednesford-office-scheme-65233-23507649/Of
general interest

Of general interest

Politics:

Ministers in
expenses climbdown hours before vote

Philip Webster, The
Times

Gordon Brown was
forced into a second climbdown in 48 hours today after he made
concessions on MPs expenses in the face of another Commons defeat.
 Harriet Harman, Leader of the Commons, accepted that the future
of the whole issue should be referred to the Committee on Standards
in Public Life headed by Sir Christopher Kelly, who had been at
loggerheads with the Prime Minister over the timing of his inquiry.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6199971.ece

Education:

School starting age
moved to help summer-born children

Polly Curtis, The
Guardian

All children will have
the option of starting school in the September after their fourth
birthday to counter the educational penalty faced by those born in
the summer, the schools secretary Ed Balls said yesterday as he
announced the biggest shake-up of primary education in England in 20
years. At present children born in the summer often enter primary
school in the January or April before they turn five, meaning they
get up to two fewer terms at school compared with classmates born in
the autumn who start in September.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/apr/30/school-starting-age-primary-review

Business:

EU unemployment
hits 20 million

BBC News Online

Unemployment across
the 27 EU member states reached 20 million in March. And unemployment
in the countries using the euro is at its highest level since 2005,
according to the region’s official statistics agency. In March an
estimated 419,000 people lost their jobs across the 16 countries in
the eurozone. The Eurostat data agency says levels of unemployment
now stand at 8.9% of the population who are eligible for work, up
from 8.7% in February.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8026546.stm

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

The media monitor is
produced daily by the Social Enterprise Coalition
www.socialenterprise.org.uk

While in London on Wednesday the Team at MoreEco decided to make a quick visit to Grand Designs Live at Excell in London. Are main aim was to have a look at the Eco buildings which were being showcased at the event.

We visited the future-build theatre by ECO2H2OUSE.  This eco house
demonstrated the techologies being used in the building of a low/zero
carbon home. In the UK today, an average new house which uses the technology
involved will consume 77% less energy for space heating when compared with one
built to standard building regulations.

The Eco House uses
innovative low-energy technology that has been designed to meet the
passive house energy standards and levels of air tightness. The Passive
house standard is as follow;

• Compact form & good insulation
• Southern orientation & shade considerations
• Energy-efficient window glazing & frames
• Highly efficient heat recovery form exhaust air using and air to air heat exchanger
• Energy-saving household appliances
• Total energy demand for space heating and cooling of less than 15kWh/m2/yr

The second eco house we toured was the ‘EcoHub’. This cute mini dome-shaped eco pod offers teh last word in super energy efficiency. Clad in sustainable wooden or recycled tyre tiles, this tw-bedroom, double pod home uses mirco-renewable technology to achives a zero carbon rating. The people at EcoHub are committed to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. We got on well with them as this is the same aim at we have at MoreEco.

The third eco house we were inspired by, was the landARK. If you have a scrap of land, maybe a back garden, a hillside, a coppice clearing, or maybe eveen a corner of somebody’s car park (plus a few weeks holiday) then this i agreat fun eco house to have. All you need is a rubber mallet, a tape measure, screwdrives, a powerdrive drill and enough peace to read the manual. Checlkout the pictures we have taken.

Finally the last house we visited was the Cloud 9 stand. These timber eco homes are again made with sustainable timber and come with solar panels, heat recovery ventilation, large windows and open space plan. energy bills for these house are less than £400 per year.

We have uploaded pictures of the Grand Designs Live event taken from the trustworthy MoreEco iPhone to Moreeco Flickr account. The slide show is below.