In the late 70s of the last century the pace of economic growth was reduced, and unemployment grew. The social model of countries is insufficient to ensure benefits to all, and it becomes impossible to overcome growing inequality and social exclusion. This situation dictated expansion of some voluntary organizations that gradually become social enterprises.
In 2002, the British government published the following definition in its official document "Social enterprise is a business with leading social objectives whose surplus is reinvested back into the business or in the community rather than be guided by the need to maximize profits for the owners of capital or shareholders."
Social enterprises have all the hallmarks of traditional enterprises, producing goods and services; use inputs that have a clear cost; are autonomous; take significant level of economic risk.
Their business has a social aspect: pursue a clear social purpose; serve the public or a particular group of people in disadvantaged social position; do not seek to maximize profit to distribute it among the participants in the capital of the enterprise.