THE social sector here will get a boost, with more funding for new start-ups, a development centre to equip them with business skills, and an association to bring them a bigger bang for the public money they get.

The aim - to wean welfare agencies off their dependence on donations and promote more business ventures here that help the needy and disadvantaged to get and keep their jobs.

The government-appointed Social Enterprise (SE) Committee, tasked with promoting such ventures, also rolled out plans to create a still nascent culture for social enterprises to thrive.

1. A 'Caring Companies' initiative to encourage more Socially Responsible Enterprises (SREs) to employed the disadvantaged. SREs will be incentivised to help groups of people that range from the disabled and the mentally ill to the uneducated elderly and former convicts. Money will go towards staff retraining and job redesign, among others.

2. A better funding framework to help social enterprises with economically sustainable business ideas to get more money. This includes a better way to tap the Government's ComCare Enterprise Fund and extending the funding period from one to two years. Entrepreneurs should also be allowed to share profits two years after they stop receiving ComCare funds.

3. A new fund, Capability Development, will help businesses and voluntary welfare organisations build their capabilities such as business skills.

4. A Social Enterprise Development Centre will be set up to provide business support and promote social enterprise.

5. A Social Enterprise Association will help to drive the sector, helping to create partnerships and educate parties about local social enterprises.

Explaining the need to build a critical mass of business talent in the social sector, SE Committee chairman Mr Philip Yeo said: 'Many people have a good heart, but running a business is a different ball game. We need to train them and equip them with the business skills that they may not have.'

Mr Yeo, who is also the chairman of SPRING Singapore, added: 'We must be successful capitalists first, before we can be useful socialists.'

It is only by building strong businesses, Mr Yeo said, that such agencies can create social impact, and better help the needy and disadvantaged to strengthen their self-worth and self reliance.

The SE Committee's recommendations have been submitted to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

If accepted, they will likely start in the middle of next year.