Report reveals how Black and Asian-Led Social Enterprises are Responding and Adapting to the UK Cost-of-Living Crisis

Published on 24 October 2024

by Sally Kah

SDG 16 SDG 8

The cost-of-living crisis is ongoing, and many communities face economic and psychological hardship due to this crisis. The UK government offered a worth £26 billion to low-income, working-age, and disabled people. However, many communities still struggle to afford basic human necessities such as energy, food and travel. Social enterprises have been addressing social and economic inequalities for decades. These organisations have been the solution to state provision failure, and the cost-of-living crisis is no exception.

A new Social Enterprise and Cost-of-Living Crisis project led by Ð԰ɵç̨ experts explores how social enterprise founders and directors respond and adapt to the cost-of-living crisis. This report focuses on the experiences of Black and Asian social entrepreneurs who address inequalities that often affect their communities the most. It delves into their strategies for crisis survival.

Based on the findings, we present ten recommendations for social enterprise decision-makers, funding institutions, and government bodies to empower social enterprises to develop resources and capabilities fit for crisis response. The full report is available here: