The key objectives of the ComEnt project were: •To identify and reflect on best practice examples of successful community enterprise and determine their critical success factors. • To develop and enhance the knowledge, skillsets and competencies of learners on the concepts of community-led local development and community owned enterprises; and to apply an empowering and consultative framework in encouraging communities to become ‘enterprising’. •To develop a course syllabus and associated teaching and learning resources, with a possible focus on: community enterprise models / approaches; leadership, human resources and operational management in community enterprise; governance / legal entity frameworks; and finance. •To engage with higher education institutions. policymakers and relevant community development stakeholders with regard to replicating this innovative educational programme on completion of the project.
The ComEnt project developed a blended learning educational programme and associated teaching / learning resources for higher education institutions; accrediting agencies; and social entrepreneurs / innovators on the innovative topic of community enterprise development. The ComEnt project defined a community enterprise as an organisation owned and managed by the community, whose mission and vison are centred on serving individuals from a defined geographical area (predominantly disadvantaged locations) and / or communities of interest (predominantly marginalised groups in society). This makes community enterprises a distinct group within the wider social enterprise sector, not only trading for social purposes but reinvesting any profits in ways that provide benefits to a particular community. Furthermore, the specific promotion of community sponsored entrepreneurism within higher education courses is innovative. It was critically important for HEIs, in partnership with the community and voluntary sector, to pursue research on the topic of community enterprise. it was equally important to educate students and relevant stakeholders on the ways in which community owned enterprises can facilitate Community Led Local Development.