The Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurship aims to minimise barriers to entrepreneurship for under-represented groups by creating a more inclusive enterprise ecosystem.
The Charter was devised by Dr Lorna Treanor, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Nottingham, and developed through her collaborative work with D2N2 and in consultation with other regional stakeholders including the Federation of Small Businesses, Nottingham Trent University and the Chambers of Commerce.
Following a successful launch in the East Midlands in March, the Charter was launched nationally earlier this month, at a formal event in London.
The Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurship provides a framework for developing an inclusive enterprise ecosystem through its five core principles:
- Promoting diverse role models across the enterprise ecosystem
- Delivering inclusive enterprise support
- Enabling lifelong learning of entrepreneurship education
- Ensuring equal access to enterprise finance
- Implementing measurable targets for inclusive enterprise policy and procurement practices.
Dr Lorna Treanor said:
“The Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurship offers a framework to enable more appropriate policy, education, training and advisory support for under-served and under-represented groups and to deliver equitable outcomes from entrepreneurship for all individuals, regardless of their background, personal characteristics or location. It does this through fostering a partnership approach; by developing a joined-up ecosystem of individuals, organisations, agencies, and enterprises committed to supporting greater equality of opportunity and outcomes.”
Alongside D2N2, the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs, the Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship Association, Black Business Network UK, SFEDI, the Gender Index and the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurs are some of the first national signatories to the Charter, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring appropriate and equitable support is available to anyone who wants to start or grow a business.
Will Morlidge, Chief Executive of D2N2, said:
“We know that entrepreneurship is vital for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. It is crucial that organisations work together to create conditions that support and enable all entrepreneurs, particularly those that are under-represented, through every stage of their journey. As an organisation, we are particularly focused on addressing barriers to work faced by young people with learning disabilities through our Careers Hub. As a signatory to the Charter, we are also developing new workstreams on Women in STEM and digital inclusion.
The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Charter is a fantastic example of pragmatic collaboration to promote inclusive growth, and we are very proud that, through our support of the Charter, D2N2 is helping to facilitate growth and change outcomes for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their background.”
For media enquiries, contact:
Nicola Swaney
Head of External Affairs, D2N2 LEP
nicola.swaney@d2n2lep.org
