This study based on interviews with social enterprise stakeholders in the Highlands and Islands considers the extent to which social enterprise can address social and economic challenges in remote and rural areas. Promotors of social enterprise include the market context, the culture of self-help, support from rural communities and the small size and thus flexibility Read more…
Starting social enterprises in remote and rural Scotland: best or worst of circumstances?
This study extends the analysis of specific promotors/ barriers to the success of social enterprise in the Scottish Highlands to consider issues relating to health and social care. It finds thinking not well developed and issues in relation to procurement. While those interviewed could see a role for rural social enterprise in maintaining the wellbeing Read more…
Built-in Resilience: Community Landowners’ Responses to the Covid-19 Crisis
In June 2020, Community Land Scotland and the Community Woodlands Association co-published a new report entitled “Built-in Resilience: Community Landowners’ Responses to the Covid-19 Crisis.” The report demonstrates the remarkable efforts made by community landowners’ to support their communities throughout the lockdown period, highlighting the ability of community landowners and organisations to be agile and Read more…
Wellbeing Economy
Want to know more about a #wellbeingeconomy? A new paper from the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) explains what a wellbeing economy is, discussing the benefits, the fundamentals and building blocks, how it iffers from the current system, and how it would work in a variety of styles. This ten-page PDF makes wellbeing economy concepts Read more…
Resilience Economics Report from Common Weal
The recent report from Common Weal Scotland, ‘Resilience Economics’, sets out an economic framework for rebuilding Scotland’s economy post-virus. This new document explains the principles behind Resilience Economics – the act of building an economy designed to withstand and react to shocks such as financial crashes, global pandemics, and climate change. Download the report Read more…
Exploring the Geographies of Social Enterprise in the Highlands and Islands
Research conducted by Ailsa Higgins, a student at the University of Glasgow, explores the geographies of social enterprise in the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland. Social enterprise activity is known to be particularly dense in the Highlands and Islands, where growth conditions have been described as “fertile context” for the uptake of social enterprise Read more…
Collective leadership
Background paper for Community Learning Exchange to Oban and Mull which provides an introduction to ideas of collective leadership.
Rural Social Enterprise Hub – Initial Survey Results
Rural Social Enterprise Hub – Initial Survey Results: There is a clear focus on learning; particularly peer to peer learning.
