Manchester progressive enterprise network is a network of over fifty community enterprises, workers co-ops & not-for-profit businesses working to make Manchester greener, healthier and more equitable by developing and promoting economic working practices in line with our values.
MPEN provides information, support and networking opportunities for its members. It helps its members to help themselves and facilitates mutual support within the network. It promotes the network and the social economy to the community through its directory, the Enterprising newsletter and website. MPEN also works to promote social enterprise as the preferred way to do business and as value added suppliers of goods and services.
MPEN's values are centred on Sustainable Living and the importance of environment, community and social justice:
Social Justice
The pursuit of profit has often been the sole driving force behind economic activity. In these circumstances communities at home and abroad have often suffered the results of low wages, poor working conditions and dangerous or unpleasant living conditions. MPEN seeks to promote social justice, social inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
Our Environment Much of our society's economic activity has taken place at the expense of our environment. Ultimately all human activity, including our economy, depends on an environment capable of supporting human life and providing us with a continuous supply of resources and waste treatment services. MPEN members recognise these facts and seek to minimise their environmental impact.
Our Community MPEN members provide jobs to people in the local area and promote progressive working practices that value and support their workers. MPEN promotes economic activity that is aligned with its values and that supports the local economy and the community that relies on it.
MPEN is a member of the Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) and facilitates the Community Network's input into the Economy and Local Employment Partnership to help bring about sustainable regeneration of the city.
Future Developments Over the next year MPEN will be working with the Community Network for Manchester and the Economy and Local Employment Partnership to promote Manchester 's Community Engagement Strategy. It will also be working with Manchester Social Enterprise Forum to increase the level of employment in the sector through an increase in demand for goods and services supplied by social enterprises.
