SPEnD - Social Procurement & Enterprise Development

Can you imagine the impact of recovering 5 million kilograms of plastic?
Thats exactly what the Seven Clean Seas has dedicated themselves to.

This week’s highlighted social enterprise is Seven Clean Seas. Located in 4 different countries: UK, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Seven Clean Seas is a social enterprise on a mission to protect and restore our oceans by tackling plastic pollution at its source. They operate high-impact cleanup projects, preventing plastic waste from entering marine environments. As a result, communities have a more sustainable livelihood contributing to better human’s health.

If you want to explore more of their impact make sure to check out their instagram account

If you would like to explore more social enterprises and non profits make sure to checkout the Xplore Impact website! link in our bio!

Celebrating Black History Month at the SPEnD!

In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions, history, and culture of the Black community. At SPEnD, we are committed to inclusivity and support for all communities on our campus and beyond. We celebrate the amazing impact of Black leaders, change makers, and visionaries who have shaped history, driven social progress and continue to inspire future generations!

This February, we encourage everyone to explore and support Black-owned businesses. By doing so, we not only uplift these entrepreneurs but also contribute to the economic growth and empowerment of the Black community.

🔗 Check out Black-owned businesses in Ottawa: https://www.afrobiz.ca/Black-Owned-Ottawa-ON

Join us in recognizing and supporting the incredible talent, creativity, and resilience of Black business owners in our community. Let's make a difference together and celebrate Black History Month with purpose and pride! ✊🏾

SPEnD interns proudly showcasing at the Algonquin College In-Class Projects Showcase today.

🏆 807 crowdsourced global social enterprise exemplars (Thanks to you all!)
🏆 Identified the investment capacity of 140 Canadian colleges.
🏆 3 student-led and market-driven social enterprises to be launched

Creative mornings done right!
SPEnD Interns had so much fun with CreativeMornings Ottawa
at Cours Bayview Yards

436 global social enterprise exemplars and counting!

Contribute to this ever-growing list of social enterprises making a difference by participating in our quick survey - https://www.spendsocial.ca/survey

Embrace : Pave the Path to Change

🔗 Anchors of Community: Hospitals, colleges, universities, museums, and other large, place-based organizations go beyond being mere institutions—they are the bedrock of our communities, deeply connected and economically influential.

As vital community assets and powerful economic engines, they have the potential to uplift the local economy and play a central role in . What else? Their long-term sustainability is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the populations they serve, creating a true win-win situation for community prosperity.

Together, let's leverage the strength of these anchors to create thriving, inclusive communities for everyone

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind are integral to achieving the . We cannot achieve sustainable development and make the planet better for all if people are excluded from the chance for a better life.

Reducing inequality requires transformative change. Greater efforts are needed to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, and invest more in health, education, social protection and decent jobs, especially for young people, migrants and refugees and other vulnerable communities.

Source: un.org

Celebrating Indigenous Excellence: Birch Bark Coffee Company

The Ottawa-based company sources and blends organic, SPP-certified fair trade coffee, ensuring that it is grown and produced by farmers who are Indigenous descendants, and proceeds from the sale of every bag go toward the purchase of water purification systems for Indigenous homes across Canada.

Discover their exceptional coffee offerings and learn more about their efforts to bring clean drinking water to Indigenous homes at www.birchbarkcoffeecompany.com

SPEnD is currently curating a list of Amazing Social Enterprises across the world. Do you know of a remarkable social enterprise that deserves recognition? Share their name with us by filling out our quick survey- https://www.spendsocial.ca/survey