About the Hub
We provide a space for collaboration, peer to peer learning and knowledge exchange between everyone committed to thriving rural social enterprise. And we showcase the contribution social enterprise makes to rural communities.
Figures from the Social Enterprises Census 2024 says:
33%
of Scotland’s social enterprises are in rural areas, home to just 10% of the population
2024
social enterprises in rural Scotland as of 2024
80%
of rural social enterprises started in response to gaps in local services
There is something distinctive about rural social enterprise. Figures from the Social Enterprise in Scotland Survey 2024 show that:
- Scotland’s rural and remote areas have 33% of all social enterprises in Scotland and yet just 10% of the population.
- There are 23 social enterprises per 10,000 people in rural areas compared to 9 in urban areas.
- The top regions per 10,000 of the population are islands:(Shetland 47, Nan Eilean Siar 45, Orkney 31).
- 24% of all rural social enterprises cover a neighbourhood/ community and are accountable to people in that area.
- 80% of rural social enterprises started in response to gaps in local services
While social enterprises in rural areas are diverse, they face particular challenges in terms of logistics, costs, market size, demographic change and the withdrawal of /public services.
At the same time opportunities are presented by natural resources, the tradition of enterprising communities and collective leadership. In many areas, small, locally focused social enterprises play a crucial role in sustaining vital services for rural communities.
Recognising an opportunity to learn from the rural experience, the Scottish Government provide a small amount of funding to Inspiralba to support the Rural Social Enterprise Hub.
Who is behind the hub?
The Rural Social Enterprise Hub is developed and managed by Inspiralba, a social enterprise based in Argyll and Bute that has worked with communities across Scotland since 2009.
We support community-led organisations to turn their ideas into sustainable enterprises, offering business support, project development and learning opportunities with a focus on rural social enterprise. As a charitable enterprise, any profits go straight back into supporting communities.
The Hub was launched in 2019 with support from the Scottish Government, recognising just how much rural social enterprise contributes to Scotland. It grew out of our own work, and out of a simple belief that people facing similar challenges have a lot to learn from each other. Today it’s shaped by everyone who takes part: the organisations, practitioners, researchers and partners who share what they know and learn from one another.
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
