Trading for Good

Funded programmes for people who want to improve our world

People chatting while watering some plants in a community garden. A graphic reads 'Society and environment in your hands'. Logos for The National Lottery Community Fund, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Power To Change and The Dulverton Trust

This programme is not currently recruiting

Applications will open again in Spring/Summer 2025.

In the mean time feel free to check out our other programmes and courses.

 

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Learning and
development programme		 Match Trading™ grant Ready-made network

 

Who it’s for
People developing or growing social, environmental or  local community projects Planning to grow trading income Based in England Income under £100k

Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to develop and grow projects that tackle social and environmental challenges through strong trading income streams.

Trading for Good provides funding, education and support for social entrepreneurs and community businesses across England. It consists of three programmes aimed at different types of projects at differing stages of their journey.

Each programme has the following specialised support:

  • Learning and development programme.
  • Match Trading Grant™.
  • Ready-made network of people like you. 
  • Expert insights. 
  • Peer-to-peer learning. 
  • Join our community of 3k+ SSE fellows.

Learn more about the right programme for you

 

“The programme and Match Trading added the wind to our sails. Until applying for the SSE programme, Kitty’s Launderette had been a development project. The programme came at a crucial time.”

Grace Harrison, Kitty’s Launderette

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Learn more about the right programme for you

The content of each programme is tailored to the kind of organisation and stage of development. It’s important that you join a cohort of other’s like you to share expertise and solutions to challenges.

Which of these statements best describe you?
I am developing a new or existing project

  • that improves peoples lives or the environment
  • is also aiming to be a community business. A community business is:
    •  Locally rooted – based within a defined geographical area (e.g. a village or town, or a ward, or borough). 
    •  Accountable to the local community – the local community is involved in planning and supporting the community business, as well as simply using its services.  
    •  Trading for the benefit of the local community – trading or planning to trade with profits reinvested in the community or to support activity in the community. 
    •  Making a broad community impact – working with a broad section of the community or have a specific focus on a particular group, e.g. people from minoritized ethnicities or disabled people, in the local community.

Sound like you? You should find out more about Trading for Good: Community Business
Find out more
I am developing a new or recently started project

  • with under £20,000 annual income
  • that improves peoples lives or the environment
  • does not aim to be a community business as in the above description.
    (Usually this means your project is not only focused on the local community).

Sound like you? You should find out more about Trading for Good: Social Enterprise Start Up
Find out more
I am growing an existing project

  • with an income of between £20,000 and £100,000
  • that improves peoples lives or the environment
  • does not aim to be a community business as in the above description.
    (Usually this means your project is not only focused on the local community).

Sound like you? You should find out more about Trading for Good: Social Enterprise Trade Up
Find out more

 

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About School for Social Entrepreneurs

We can’t fix issues like poverty, climate change and ill-health alone. That’s why the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) exists. SSE helps more than 1,000 people a year develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. It runs courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. But it is not a traditional school.

Learning with SSE is inspiring, action-based and accessible. SSE supports people in other ways too, such as funding and mentoring. Lord Michael Young founded SSE in 1997, and it’s grown to support people who have gone on to benefit the lives of millions of people across the world. Together, SSE is changing lives and transforming communities. 

About Trading for Good

Trading For Good is a five-year project, delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs with support from Power to Change and The Dulverton Trust, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund – the largest community funder in the UK. Thanks to National Lottery players, almost £5 million has been awarded to provide funding, education and support to more than 650 social entrepreneurs and community businesses across England. The programme will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to develop and grow projects that tackle social and environmental challenges.  

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