Programs
Rural communities across Ontario are struggling with many social, environmental and economic issues with limited resources. At the Social Enterprise Rural Alliance (SERA), we have big goals and realize we cannot do it alone. We encourage organizations with similar values to collaborate with us as we move forward on current projects or create new ones.
Our core service is to do business planning and project management for social enterprises. If you have a business idea that has a social and/or environmental mission, come talk to us to see how we can help. Join the Rural Alliance. Attend an upcoming knowledge-sharing event.
LEARN
Solutions to the challenges of today’s rural economies.
Social enterprise is an approach to achieving a social mission and supporting rural community sustainability that incorporates earned income strategies and innovative partnerships.We live changing times and rural communities often struggle with deep-rooted social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. SERA Community Ventures hopes to be a catalyst for change by supporting rural communities and non-profits with the tools and resources they need to be place-based changemakers. We’ve made it our mission to guide organizations and individuals about social enterprise and the social economy. Learn how this approach can create positive change in your rural region. We live changing times and rural communities often struggle with deep-rooted social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. SERA Community Ventures hopes to be a catalyst for change by supporting rural communities and non-profits with the tools and resources they need to be place-based changemakers. We’ve made it our mission to guide organizations and individuals about social enterprise and the social economy. Learn how this approach can create positive change in your rural region.DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?
We can help. Connect with SERA.
START
Moving from idea to action.
We believe in turning ideas into opportunities. Great ideas and collaborations are led by people, not by profit. Creating social, cultural or environmental value on top of building or running a business is not easy, especially in a rural community. Since 2011, we’ve been part of getting bright ideas off the ground so whether you’re just considering the benefits of rural social enterprise or in the planning stage and need help with resources, or simply wish to speak with an expert or peer about an idea or business structure, SERA is here to help you get started.Want to learn more?
The SERA Rural Alliance is all about sharing knowledge and bolstering the capacity of rural enterprises and the rural social economy. We believe there are merits to place-based and cluster-based rural development to enable members to collectively boost and strengthen their capacity and capabilities to create solutions where they live. Find out about our se knowledge exchanges and peer-to-peer opportunities. Join the Rural Alliance with an annual membership or sign on for news, updates, and meetups.GROW
With success comes the opportunity to grow social impact.
Growing your social enterprise and accelerating your social impact takes action and a plan. We work with organizations of all sectors to grow Ontario’s rural social enterprise sector and to be the voice for rural organizations who are seeking to amplify their presence and increase their social impact in their rural region. SERA can help you navigate through the social economy landscape to meet your unique needs and community challenges as your startup or scale up to bring even greater value to the marketplace and the area you serve.Are you looking for expert support and strategies for your social venture?
Want to grow a sustainable social enterprise in rural Ontario? Investigating options from social financing and procurement to growth strategies and sustainability plans? We want to empower you to be a changemaker. Connect with the Rural Alliance members and experts and delve into ways to grow and scale a social enterprise, buy social, and help build the rural social enterprise ecosystem.Are you trying to find the resources, tools, and model to keep your enterprise socially-aware?
Our ever-expanding Resource Library and News feed will keep you in the know.CONNECT
Looking to meet other social innovators? Need a specific product or service? Interested in social purchasing and supporting the sector? Join the Rural Alliance and connect with other socially-minded organizations.