The Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISE) Phase II Research Program: Progress report 2024-2025

Official title: The Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISE) Phase II Research Program - Social Purpose Organizations Serving Black and Other Racialized Groups in Work Integration

Progress report 2024-2025

The WISE Phase II research program is a longitudinal study (2022 to 2027). The goal is to examine the impact of the social enterprise sector on the social and labour market integration of Black and racialized people in Canada. Eleven (11) projects have been selected, receiving a total of $5.6 million in funding over 5 years. The program will end on March 31, 2027.

The program addresses the following questions:

• what are the characteristics of social enterprises serving Black and racialized groups?
• what are the characteristics of the clients of these social enterprises?
• how, and to what extent, do these social enterprises contribute to the social and labour market integration of Black and racialized people in Canada?

In 2024-2025, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) organised the second annual workshop of the WISE Phase II research program. As part of the planning and preparations for this event, ESDC also held bilateral meetings with each of the 11 research teams. These meetings took place between September to October 2024.

WISE Phase II Workshop 2024-2025

The second workshop of the WISE Phase II research program was held on February 21, 2025, in Ottawa. This hybrid event brought together approximately 60 people, both online and in person. Participants included:

• members of the 11 research teams
• ESDC representatives, and
• 6 social enterprises leaders partnering with some research teams

A significant part of the day was dedicated to presentations. The 11 research teams showcased the progress they have made over the past year. These presentations revealed that all teams had started data collection. Some teams also shared preliminary results from their research projects.

The 6 social enterprises leaders talked about their social enterprises. They talked about the communities they serve and the purpose of their work. Their testimonies demonstrated the positive impact they have. They help their communities and Black and racialized individuals who take part in their programs.

At the end of the workshop, ESDC held a panel. Three social enterprises leaders and one researcher from a research team took part. They came together to discuss the following questions:

• what are the key challenges to the social and labour market integration of Black and racialized people in Canada today?
• how are WISEs helping to overcome some of these challenges and help advance the labour market integration of Black and racialized people?

Key takeaways from the workshop

Preliminary findings from the research teams suggest positive impacts of WISE programs on:

• employment outcomes
• mental health, and
• social integration

The presentations also brought to light:

• challenges faced by the research teams about participant recruitment and retention, and
• challenges faced by the social enterprises on funding and balancing social and business motives

The panel discussion highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by Black and racialized individuals. Social enterprises play a critical role in addressing these challenges. They do this through comprehensive support, skill development, and community engagement.

The second WISE workshop was a success. It facilitated knowledge exchange and fostered collaboration. It also provided valuable insights. The workshop showed both the challenges and successes of social enterprises in supporting the social and labour market integration of Black and racialized individuals in Canada.

Contact us

Strategic and Service Policy Branch, Social Policy Directorate, Social Research Division

Email: esdc.nc.sspb.research-recherche.dgpss.cn.edsc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca