With the introduction of new legislation in Northern Ireland on 6 April 2007, CICs will be a new legal form of company offering a flexible business model for social enterprise.

CICs have been created by government for those wishing to establish businesses which trade with a social purpose or carry on other activities for the benefit of the community. To alert local social enterprises and advisors to the sector about this new initiative, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is organising an awareness raising seminar on Friday 30 March 2007 in the Mount Conference Centre, 2 Woodstock Link, Belfast. The keynote speaker at the event will be John Hanlon the CIC Regulator.

This is a must attend event for anyone interested in this new legal form for social enterprise and an opportunity to put your questions directly to the CIC Regulator.

For more information contact Stephen Macdonald, Social Economy Branch on tel: 028 9052 9255 or email: stephen.macdonald@detini.gov.uk.

For further information on CICs please visit www.cicregulator.gov.uk or contact Tom Courtney at DETI on tel: 028 9090 5263.

For further information on how to register a CIC in Northern Ireland, visit www.companiesregistryni.gov.uk.