Development support for social enterprise

This page highlights organisations offering support in the social enterprise sector. It does not list individual consultants but focuses on intermediary organisations. Organisations have been listed alphabetically. The information provided is taken from their web sites and summarises their work. A link has been provided to enable you to get further details should you wish:

 

 

CEiS

CEiS help communities and individuals disadvantaged in, and effectively excluded from, the economy and the labour market. CEiS provides a range of independent and professional development and consultancy services to government agencies, local authorities, funding bodies and social economy organisations. Our enterprise support services will help you build the capacity of your organisation, up skill key staff and plan for the future of your social enterprise. Our area of operation is concentrated in West Central Scotland but also extends nationally and internationally, wherever collaboration with CEIS can enhance local capacity and produce meaningful outcomes. http://www.ceis.org.uk/index.html

CEL

At Community Enterprise we mix business and community experience with heaps of common sense, and a positive attitude, to help you find ways to move your organisation forwards. We practice what we preach, and are a social enterprise ourselves: we earn over 50% of our own income through our consultancy and training divisions and receive support from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Social Investment Scotland and most recently EQUAL. All of this income is used to provide subsidised services to organisations wanting to move into or develop their trading along the social enterprise ethos
http://www.communityenterprise.webeden.co.uk/

CRNS – Community Recycling Network Scotland

The CRNS exists to build a stronger community recycling sector in Scotland which can create real social, environmental and economic benefit within our local communities. CRNS offers a range of support through newsletters, development staff, seminars and events. To find out more go to:


http://www.crns.org.uk/index/our-activities

DTAS – Development Trusts Association Scotland

DTA Scotland aims to have a successful development trust in every community that wants one. Local people set up development trusts to tackle local issues and to improve the quality of life in their community. As a result, development trusts become involved in a very wide range of activities. Members of DTAS can access a variety of support through newsletters, web downloads and support from development trust advisors.
http://www.dtascot.org.uk/

Forth Sector

Forth Sector is one of Scotland’s leading social enterprises. We create supportive employment for people with mental health problems through running businesses. Forth Sector also operates Forth Sector Development offering development sessions, coaching and mentoring, signposting and study visits. If you are based in Edinburgh Social Enterprise Edinburgh is our support project specifically aimed at organisations based in Edinburgh.Forth Sector have produced a business planning guide for social enterprises. This can be found on their web site or through the Firstport Exchange.

http://www.forthsector.org.uk/fs_dev.html

HISEZ

The primary objectives for HISEZ CIC are
:

1. To provide targeted business development support to social enterprise sectors and organisations identified as priorities for growth within the Highlands and Islands (Orkney, Western Isles, Shetland and Highland);

2. To work with local partners and networks to create a supportive environment for the growth of social enterprise activity across Highlands and Islands (geography as above but including Argyll and Moray);

3. To increase the delivery of public services through social enterprise organisations working in partnership with public sector agencies (as above including Argyll and Moray) With an intended outcome of increasing the number of, and income generated by, social enterprise organisations across Highlands and Islands.

http://www.hisez.co.uk/

UnLtd

UnLtd invests both finance and development support in individuals with entrepreneurial solutions to social problems. It provides financial awards to individuals. In order to be eligible to apply for a Scotland UnLtd Award you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be an individual (NOT part of an existing organisation); aged 16 or over & living in Scotland
  • Your idea must represent an entrepreneurial solution to a social problem
  • Your idea must demonstrate the potential to generate an income with the hope of becoming financially sustainable
  • Your application must be for a new initiative that is in the start up phase

http://www.scotlandunltd.com/