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First Port News
Firstport hosts successful launch |
Firstport held its official launch at The Melting Pot in Edinburgh on Thursday 11th October. The event was attended by around 100 attendees with John Swinney as guest speaker.
The launch followed a morning of networking and training for Scotland UnLtd awardees and discussions to enable Firstport to work with individuals through out Scotland to act as agents for the organisation, promoting and supporting new and emerging social entrepreneurs. This approach to the day meant the launch was attended by support agencies and entrepreneurs reiterating the presentation given by the Firstport Executive Director for positive action..not just talk!
As an organisation supporting new and emerging social entrepreneurs in Scotland Firstport felt it was important to hold the event with new start entrepreneurs while also inviting those we work with in brokering and delivering support and advice.
Attendees at the launch heard John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth speak of the role Scottish Government sees for social enterprise as well hearing from Firstport on how it will work to deliver these objectives. The Minister answered a variety of questions, showing the audience his breadth of understanding on topics ranging from health, the environment, social enterprise policy and delivering sustainable growth in Scotland. Firstport were pleased to hear him reference the recent article on the organisation in Scotland on Sunday noting its appearance in the business section of the paper.
Following the launch Firstport will be working to increase its profile thereby continuing to be the first port of call for social enterprise in Scotland.
First Sight of Firstport |
January 2007 - Firstport is a new organisation being set up to deliver support to new and emerging social enterprises. It has received monies from Communities Scotland and is due to be launched officially in the next few months.
Firstport is the result of a joint initiative between Senscot and Scotland UnLtd. Its Governance is comprised of existing members of the respective organisations. First Port will be established as a separate organisation to Senscot (though of course strong links will be kept) and is in the process of defining the relationship with Scotland UnLtd. The Exchange, a service currently delivered by Senscot, will be transferred to Firstport in the next few months as the organisation becomes more operational.