Knowledge Bank

A social enterprise combines business operations and social objectives. It uses the majority of its profits to advance its social mission. A social enterprise can be any form of business, from a limited company to a cooperative.

In Finland, there are at least 3,000 social enterprises, depending on the measurement method and definition. They operate in many different sectors, such as social and health services, circular economy, culture, and employment services. Social enterprises employ tens of thousands of people in Finland.

A social enterprise is typically characterized by value-based operations, responsibility, transparency, and participatory management. Many social enterprises have acquired the Social Enterprise Mark, which is a certificate granted by an external body attesting to the company’s social mission.

Most Common Sectors of Social Enterprises in Finland

• Social and health services
• Circular economy and environmental services
• Culture and arts
• Employment services
• Education and research
• Retail
• Tourism and restaurant industry

Data on Social Enterprises (in Finnish)

Social innovations are new solutions that respond to social needs and challenges. They can be products, services, operational models, or processes that improve society’s well-being and resilience. A globally known example of a Finnish social innovation is the maternity package, which has been adopted in dozens of other countries.

The Centre of Expertise collects and shares information about social innovations and supports the creation and development of new innovations.

Examples of Social Innovations

• New employment models for people with partial work ability
• Circular economy solutions
• Digital services to prevent social exclusion
• Community housing solutions
• New funding models for social enterprises

Information on Social Innovations (in Finnish)

The Centre of Expertise for Social Enterprises aims to promote the employment of people in a vulnerable labor market position. As part of this task, the Centre collects, evaluates, and disseminates good practices and models related to employment.

We actively collect information about employment support models, job preparation, and adapting working conditions. We also share good practices and success stories about employing people with partial work ability.

Employment Support Models

• Wage subsidies
• Work arrangement support
• Job preparation
• Work trials
• Apprenticeship training

Information for Employers (in Finnish)

We offer online training on social entrepreneurship, employing people with partial work ability, and social innovations. The training is open to all interested parties.

Examples of Online Training Topics

• Establishing a social enterprise
• Impact measurement
• Employing people with partial work ability
• Social innovations
• Funding opportunities

Online training (in Finnish)

Research

We collect and share information about research related to social enterprise operations. We collaborate with universities and research institutions to promote research on social entrepreneurship. We also act as a disseminator of current information to ensure that field operators have access to the most up-to-date information.

Publications

We regularly publish reports, studies, and guides related to social enterprise operations and the social economy. Publications are primarily available in Finnish on our website, for example:

• European Social Enterprise Monitor 2023–2024 (study)
• Guide to Establishing a Social Enterprise
• Impact Measurement in Social Enterprises