Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE): Social Enterprises & Integration of Black and Racialized Persons.

Launched a longitudinal study assessing how WISE support labour‑market participation and related outcomes (i.e., well‑being, socio‑economic). 

Funding: Funded by Economic and Social Development Canada

What did this Project Set Out to Do?

This multi‑year CISWP research project examines how work‑integration social enterprises (WISEs) support the labour market and social integration of Black and racialized persons across Western Ontario. While social enterprises are often positioned as inclusive employment pathways, there is limited Canadian evidence documenting who these enterprises serve, how they operate, and the specific impacts they have on employment, well‑being, and community participation for racialized populations.

Rather than evaluating a single program or organization, this project takes a systems‑level, longitudinal approach, exploring the diversity of WISE models, participant experiences, and outcomes over time. A central goal of the project is to strengthen evidence‑informed practice by helping social enterprises build the capacity to measure, track, and use social outcomes data in meaningful ways.

How was the Research Done?

This ongoing project uses a phased, mixed‑methods design spanning four years (March 2023–March 2027), combining evidence synthesis with longitudinal primary data collection.

1. Scoping Review and Environmental Scan (Year 1)
An initial scoping review and environmental scan were conducted to assess the current landscape of work‑integration social enterprises serving Black and racialized populations. This phase examined organizational characteristics, service models, and reported outcomes, while also identifying gaps in existing evidence and measurement practices.

2. Longitudinal Panel Cohort Study (Years 2–4)
The core of the project is a three‑year panel study involving annual surveys and interviews with WISE participants and employees. Outcomes of interest include:

Employment and job stability

Education and training pathways

Housing and economic security

Well‑being and mental health

Career adaptability

Community participation and social networks

3. Regional Collaboration and Recruitment
Participant recruitment is conducted in partnership with Workforce Planning Board WEST, coordinating engagement across multiple local workforce planning regions in Western Ontario, including Waterloo Region, Hamilton‑Niagara, Windsor‑Essex, and surrounding areas.

What did the Project Discover?

Early Implementation Patterns

WISE programs vary widely in size, stability, sector focus, and client reach, affecting consistency in recruitment and follow‑up participation.

Staff turnover, funding changes, and shifting program mandates influence continuity of engagement for both organizations and participants over time.

Participant Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment and retention remain the most significant operational challenge, particularly for longitudinal follow‑up.

Some WISE programs have closed, lost funding, or opted out of subsequent data collection phases, reflecting broader precarity within the sector.

Data Collection Progress

Year 1 data collection included 42 participants across multiple WISE organizations.

Year 2 data collection is ongoing, with 28 participants completed to date, including several repeat participants, enabling early longitudinal comparisons.

These early findings underscore the importance of flexible research design and sustained relationship‑building when working within community‑based employment systems.

Key Applications

As the project progresses, several immediate applications are emerging:

Strengthening outcome measurement capacity for social enterprises seeking to track employment, well‑being, and social integration outcomes more effectively.

Improving evidence for funders and policymakers on what WISE programs achieve, under what conditions, and for whom.

Supporting sector learning and knowledge exchange by identifying common challenges and effective practices across WISE organizations serving Black and racialized communities.

Why Does This Matter?

Work‑integration social enterprises occupy a critical space at the intersection of employment, equity, and community development. This research helps move the conversation beyond intent by providing practical, defensible evidence of how these models contribute to labour market integration and social inclusion for Black and racialized persons.

For social enterprises, the project supports stronger program design, outcome reporting, and continuous improvement.
For workforce systems and funders, it offers insight into where investment and policy support can have the greatest impact.
For participants and communities, it contributes to safer, more stable, and more inclusive pathways to meaningful work.

As data collection continues, the project is positioned to generate one of the most detailed longitudinal evidence bases on WISE impacts for racialized populations in Canada.