For social enterprises and community businesses in England
Specially designed to support individuals to create local impact and empower communities.
Up to £4k in funding
Get a Match Trading™ Grant to help you generate more income and grow your enterprise.
Generate trading income
Learn to generate income from trading. 10 learning days across a year, expert advice, specialist support and mentoring.
Ready-made network of support
Connect and grow with others like you. Help each other stimulate ideas and overcome challenges. Learn from each other and the experts.
About the programmes
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 different programmes for different of types of organisations, in different parts of the country.
Trading for Good programmes
- Programme
Trading for Good: Stockport
Skills, funding and a network so that you can generate more trading income and create community power in Stockport.
- North West
- November 30, 2027 – August 31, 2028
- Duration: Up to a year
- Programme
Trading for Good: Milton Keynes
Skills, funding and a network so that you can generate more trading income and create community power in Milton Keynes.
- East of England
- November 30, 2027 – August 30, 2028
- Duration: Up to a year
- Programme
Trading for Good: Community Business
Develop your community business's income and impact through a specialist programme of support and a Match Trading™ Grant.
- England
- October 1, 2027 – October 31, 2028
- Duration: Up to a year
- Programme
Trading for Good: Bury
Skills, funding and a network so that you can generate more trading income and create community power in Bury and Greater Manchester.
- North West
- November 30, 2027 – August 30, 2028
- Duration: Up to a year
About Trading for Good
Trading for Good is a five-year project, delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) 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.
Trading for Good is supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Power to Change, The Dulverton Trust and local partners. The programme will develop the social economy and generate community power by equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to develop and grow projects that tackle social and environmental challenges.
Upcoming workshops
Instant booking for short, online, skills-based sessions.
- Workshop
Impact Storytelling
Practical storytelling tools to help your impact-led organisation shape and share stories that inspire action — for fundraising, media and community engagement.
- Online
-
October 20, 2026
More dates available - Duration: A few hours or less
- Workshop
Introduction to Social Impact Measurement
A practical introduction to social impact measurement for beginners, helping you cut through the jargon and leave with a clear action plan to get started.
- Online
- Duration: A few hours or less
- Workshop
Sources of Funding for Charities and Social Enterprises
Explore a wide range of funding sources and leave with practical next steps to build diverse income streams for your organisation.
- Online
- October 20, 2026
- Duration: A few hours or less
- Workshop
Developing a Fundraising Strategy
A practical online course for people with some fundraising experience who want a clearer, more strategic approach to prioritising opportunities and building sustainable income.
- Online
- January 26, 2027 – January 27, 2027
- Duration: Just a day or two (short, one-off)
Latest news & resources
- News
- News
200 grassroots organisations to receive funding and training in boost to government's fight against homelessness
The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) and charity School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) have launched a nine-month accelerator, the DPS Social Commitment Programme.
- Videos & webinars
- Explore options / I’m not sure yet
Webinar: More than a roof - how can social enterprises help people find and keep a stable home?
Jerry During MBE, Ryan McKiernan and Pam Orchard discuss how social enterprises can tackle homelessness, address its wider causes and help people move from crisis towards lasting housing stability.
