Policy Briefing for the WM Social Economy Sector

Policy Changes. Rapidly. What Does It Mean for the West Midlands Social Economy Sector? The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is bringing together social enterprises, charities, community businesses, cooperatives, and other mission-led organisations from across the region for an open discussion about the policy changes shaping the future of the social economy. The policy landscape is changing rapidly, creating both new opportunities and new challenges for the sector. This briefing will explore what developments such as the growing impact economy agenda, devolution, the Integrated Settlement, and new approaches to commissioning, including outcomes-based commissioning, could mean for organisations across the West Midlands. We'll also look at how these changes may influence funding, investment, and partnership opportunities in the years ahead. Alongside updates on key national and regional policy developments, we want to hear directly from you. We are particularly interested in understanding how these changes are being perceived by the sector, whether organisations feel prepared for what's coming, and what support may be needed to help them take advantage of emerging opportunities. The event will include presentations, discussion, and plenty of opportunities to connect with peers, policymakers, and sector leaders. Your insights and experiences will help inform how we collectively respond to this changing landscape and ensure the social economy has a strong voice in shaping the future. Whether you're an established social enterprise, a grassroots community organisation, or a public sector partner looking to work more closely with the social economy, this session will help you make sense of the changing policy environment and identify opportunities for your organisation and community. Date: 13 November 2026 Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm, followed by networking lunch Location: Discovery Suite (2nd Floor), WMCA, 16 Summer Lane We would be delighted if you could join us from 9:30am for tea, coffee and networking ahead of the 10:00am start and allow time for registrations at the building reception. Please note that parking will not be available at the venue due to other events taking place on the day, so we recommend allowing a little extra time for arrival. Join us to mark Social Economy Day and explore what the next chapter of policy and devolution means for the social economy in the West Midlands.