Those people working in the third sector are to receive guidance on how social enterprises can successfully bid for contracts in relation to the Olympic Games taking place in London in 2012.

Run by Social Enterprise London (SEL) alongside the Social Enterprise Coalition - and with funding from The Office of the Third Sector - the £270,000 three-year project will give those organisations in the sector the chance to build business links and share examples of best practice.

Meanwhile, SEL will meet with procurement agencies to convince them of the benefits of working with social enterprises, news which may be welcomed by those in the third sector seeking network partners.

Research conducted by SEL earlier this year revealed that social enterprises could deliver contracts worth up to a value of £500 million in the lead-up to the Olympics.

Chief executive of SEL Allison Ogden-Newton said: "We know that social enterprises can deliver at the highest level; it is fantastic to be able to give them a platform to demonstrate this and to fully engage with the 2012 agenda."

Earlier this year, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations reported that not-for-profit organisations, charities and their network partners can be vital in supporting Gordon’s Brown push to boost faith in the political process.

More about network partners.