Young social entrepreneurs take starring role in this week's Big Issue!

This week’s edition of The Big Issue is a bumper 72-page special issue produced in association with Social Enterprise Academy (SEA) and schools across the globe.

The SEA, founded in 2004, runs the Social Enterprise Schools programme, which gives students a hands-on experience in running a business with a social purpose. Last year we produced a 16-page special supplement with them, which profiled social enterprises set up in schools across Scotland – with many of the pupils then going on to try their hand at selling the magazine, in order to raise more funds for their projects and do even more innovative and positive things in their local communities.

This year it’s even bigger and better, with 24 pages showing how SEA has expanded their schools social enterprise programme outside Scotland into London and overseas, in Australia and Malawi. The 24-page supplement is included in all editions of The Big Issue main magazine sold across the UK, and additionally we have produced a special run of the magazine which has an exclusive cover dedicated to the young SEA social entrepreneurs, which will be sold at 18 schools across Scotland.

Paul McNamee, Editor of The Big Issue, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Social Enterprise Academy for a second year, to show how SEA’s presence has grown in England and much farther afield, highlighting new projects in London, Australia and Malawi.

“Last year the school pupils who were involved with the projects showed us how their bright and bold ideas could be turned into innovative and profitable small social enterprises that really made a big difference in their local communities. It’s great to see how they have grown and others have followed their lead”.

“This year again, as with last year, pupils will be hosting sell-offs of the special edition of the magazine through their schools, making money for their projects and spreading the word about the important work of The Big Issue. I am looking forward to seeing how this year’s school vendors rise to the challenge!”

I hope readers are inspired by the creative social enterprises featured in this magazine

Neil McLean, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise Academy, said: “I hope that The Big Issue readers are inspired by the creative social enterprises featured in this magazine. They are a perfect example of how young people can make real social and environmental impact in their communities when they have the opportunity to do so.

“We want to make sure every young person in the country has the same opportunity to solve the social issues they care about while developing key employability and entrepreneurship skills for the future through the Social Enterprise in Education programme.”

The edition would not have been possible without the support of sponsors including SAP, Kibble, Emerald Foundation, Link Group, Firstport, Social Enterprise Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The Big Issue, sold by vendors to lift themselves out of poverty, is available to buy across the UK for £2.50. The special edition will be available to buy from March 16^th-20^th in the following schools:

• Aberdour Primary, Fife
• Bargarran Primary – Renfrewshire
• Bargarran Primary – Renfrewshire
• Craigmount High School – Edinburgh
• Drakies Primary – Highland Council, Inverness
• Glenbervie School – Aberdeenshire
• Kelty Primary – Fife
• Logie Primary – Moray
• Spartans Alternative School – Edinburgh
• St Andrew’s RC High – Fife
• Benedict’s High – Renfrewshire
• St Bernard’s Primary – Glasgow
• St Denis’ Primary – Glasgow
• St John’s Primary – East Renfrewshire
• St Joseph’s Primary – Glasgow
• Stirling High, Stirling
• Tulliallan Primary – Fife
• Waid Academy – Fife

Keep an eye on our Twitter channel @BigIssue and click back on bigissue.com to find out how they get on through the week!