Collecting Data on Social Enterprises 2025

The co-design process 2.2 Once the purpose of data collection and target audiences are defined, the next step is to design the survey. A co-design approach, involving a diverse range of stakeholders, enhances the survey’s relevance, accuracy and impact. The figures below outline the key stakeholders to include in this process. Key stakeholders in survey design FIGURE 2 Social enterprises Involving social enterprises themselves in the design process ensures that the questions are relevant and understandable. This may be supported through consultation workshops to present and refine the methodology as well as to secure buy-in and support from stakeholders and relevant networks and raise awareness of the research. Academia Engaging experts and academics from universities ensures that survey methodologies are grounded in rigorous, reliable science. External reviewers, ideally with no direct involvement in the compilation or analysis of data but closely familiar with the social economy or social enterprise, can help ensure the robustness and applicability of the overall methodology. They can critique findings from the data and help with the interpretation and presentation of the findings, in addition to contributing newer insights. Social enterprise supporters Input from social enterprise supporters and infrastructure organizations as well as policy-makers and funders can ensure that the survey captures the data needed to inform decision-making, advocacy and funding priorities. These could include, for instance: –Government departments, such as the ministries of trade, finance, culture, etc. –Agencies and quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations (QUANGOs), for instance charities and societies agencies, co-operative development agencies, agencies for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the national bank and agencies supporting young people/youth employment. –Chambers of commerce, federations of small businesses, co-operatives’ associations, creative industries’ federations, associations of women in business, etc., as well as associations supporting vulnerable groups such as disabled people. –Funders and financiers, including social or impact investors, big grant-makers and development finance institutions. –Organizations providing financial and technical support for entrepreneurship development, such as creative and impact hubs, incubators and accelerators. –Large trading non-profits, credit unions and microfinance representatives. Collecting Data on Social Enterprises: A Playbook for Practitioners 11