Social Enterprise Day

Every year on the third Thursday of November (in 2025 this falls on 20 November), organizations and individuals worldwide observe Social Enterprise Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognizing the role of social enterprises—businesses that prioritize people and planet alongside profit—and celebrating how they create positive impact in communities and the environment.
This day offers a chance to highlight how business models can be designed differently: trading to solve social or environmental challenges, reinvesting profit in mission rather than maximizing returns, and building more inclusive, sustainable economies. Through events, storytelling, social media campaigns, and collaboration, Social Enterprise Day brings together social entrepreneurs, supporters, policymakers, and the broader public in recognizing the transformative potential of this movement.

History of Social Enterprise Day

The concept of Social Enterprise Day emerged as part of the broader global movement to raise awareness of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship. The day is associated with Global Entrepreneurship Week and was initially championed by Social Enterprise UK along with partners such as the British Council and social enterprise networks in other countries.
Over the years the day has grown beyond the UK and is now marked globally—various countries and networks take part in this annual observance. It has become a platform for showcasing the diversity of social enterprises, their innovative models, and the ways they’re changing business as usual.

Why is Social Enterprise Day important?

Social Enterprise Day highlights that business can be a powerful force for good—going beyond simply making profit to tackling social challenges, creating employment in underserved communities, protecting the environment, and contributing to sustainable development. By shining a spotlight on these enterprises, the day raises public awareness of alternative business approaches and encourages both consumers and institutions to support mission-driven organizations.
Additionally, the observance helps build networks, foster collaboration, influence policy, and strengthen the ecosystem in which social enterprises operate. It reminds us that economic activity and social value don’t have to be separate—and that supporting enterprises built around purpose can strengthen communities and the planet.

• It raises awareness of the social enterprise movement and its impact.
• It encourages consumers and organizations to buy from or partner with social enterprises.
• It provides an opportunity to share stories of innovation, resilience, and social change.
• It helps promote policies and practices that support mission-driven business models.
• It inspires people to consider starting or supporting a business that contributes to society.

How to Celebrate Social Enterprise Day

Celebrate Social Enterprise Day by actively engaging with the movement: seek out local or national social enterprises, learn about their impact, and share their stories. On this day you might attend events—online or in-person—organised by social enterprise networks, hold discussions about how business can serve social goals, or champion a social enterprise through your own networks. Emotionally and personally, it’s a moment to reflect on how each of us can support alternatives to conventional business and contribute to a more inclusive economy.
For organizations, it can be a time to review how procurement or investment practices may favor social enterprises, and to highlight employees’ or partners’ involvement in socially-oriented businesses. For individuals, it might mean shifting a purchase to an enterprise doing good, amplifying their work on social media (#SocialEnterpriseDay), or simply finding out how you could start or support one.

• Visit or spotlight a social enterprise in your region and share its story.
• Choose to buy from a social enterprise rather than a conventional business when possible.
• Encourage your workplace, community group, or school to consider how they might partner with or support social enterprises.
• Use social media with the hashtag #SocialEnterpriseDay to promote mission-driven businesses.
• Explore what it would take to start a social enterprise yourself, or volunteer your skills with one.

Social Enterprise Day Dates Table