What is a social enterprise?

We hear these terms used loosely: ‘social enterprise’, ‘social economy’, ‘social enterpreneurship’, but does anyone agree on a definition? Can we come up with our own that resonates with us?

There are several definitions used to describe this highly versatile and multipurposed enterprise. We may consider the following:

'A social economy enterprise operates like a business, produces goods and services for the market, but manages its operations and redirects its surpluses in pursuit of social and environmental goals'-1.

1- Defining the Social Economy, by Fiona Salkie; Senior Policy Analyst, WD Headquarters, Edmonton

I particularly like this one:

‘Social enterprise applies an entrepreneurial approach to addressing social issues and creating positive community change’.

This one also resonates with me:

‘A social enterprise is a revenue-generating business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to deliver profit to shareholders and owners.’

http://www.centreforsocialenterprise.com/what.html

I think the important thing to remember here is not the words we use, but the meaning we are trying to convey. That is why I would like to go the root of the issue, and answer the following question:

Why is the social economy important? What’s it all about? ...