These describe both the short to medium term impact to individuals as a result of achieving the outcomes, along with wider societal impacts which could be achieved over the longer term if the model is implemented and sustained effectively.

6a. Individual:

Life opportunities are improved for everyone, not just a select few who would have naturally founds routes to success without the support available

Pride in place becomes a function of collective successes, contributing to a more distributed sense of purpose and community (‘Levelling Up’)

People support each other’s aspirations as they feel invested in more than their own success and prosperity

A greater feeling of agency and empowerment, through people having a more credible voice

6b. Wider:

Successful communities which generate and elevate opportunities from within

Prosperity becomes attainable for everyone

Equity enables new and diverse voices to contribute across all parts of civic life

Local voice, accountability and influence is amplified, leading to democracy being deepened and strengthened

Checklist

Assertions/Assumptions

Community, social capital and co-operation can be enablers of inclusive economic development, particularly in challenging contexts. Working together, people can achieve economic outcomes they are unlikely to achieve on their own

Greater recognition of the role ‘democratic business’ types play in local economies will lead to wider societal change

Scaling across as well as up will create a much richer ecosystem of ideas, support and longer term success stories. Mainstream support should take an active role in understanding and harnessing place-based, social purpose businesses and those they serve

Foundation (Impact catalysts)

Greater weight is being given to wider social impacts, such as determinants of wellbeing. Understanding how to measure these, in the context of supporting social businesses, is noted in the Levelling Up missions/metrics, and is something those advocating for this way of working should contribute to