The plan is the first phase of the ten-year strategy, which aims to ensure Glasgow is recognised as the social enterprise capital of Scotland, a place where economic activity works for people and profit is used for social and environmental change.

Glasgow has more than 700 social enterprises operating all across the city - with this number growing - with many providing services to people in the city who are vulnerable and need support, and others addressing environmental challenges, providing childcare and helping meet housing and employability needs.

Social enterprises in Glasgow generate almost £800 million every year from their economic activity.

The city’s Social Enterprise Strategy - co-produced by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Social Enterprise Network - will strengthen and develop the sector in the city and ensure it has access to future opportunities to allow it to grow.

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow has almost 750 social enterprises with a net worth of £1.6bn and generating almost £800m. Until now we haven’t truly appreciated the potential of the social economy, its valuable community role, capacity to regenerate and revitalise parts of the city and how it connects to the wider economy.

“That is why we have co-produced with the sector Glasgow’s first social enterprise strategy, aimed at building on the phenomenal growth in this area and helping it realise the market opportunities out there.

“We particularly want to increase its scale and impact, not just in terms of the number of social enterprises, but increasing the size of existing businesses and in encouraging coalitions and consortia. A stronger social sector will be better able to realise market opportunities, especially when bidding for larger contracts. Our plans will be critical to that.”