What we mean by sustainability

• A social enterprise that earns enough income from trading activities to cover all costs of operations, invest in new business development, build sufficient reserves to cope with adverse times and pay reasonable financial returns to investors for the capital provided.
• A capital allocation made by an investor which earns only social returns in the early years, with principal repayment (if required) and financial returns to be made based on the performance of the business once the social enterprise has achieved operational and financial sustainability.
• Any business development and other support that is required to be provided wherever possible by local organisations with business relationships based on collaboration for mutual long-term benefit.