Support
This section highlights useful links to other organisations who provide support for rural social enterprise and community development.
Social Enterprise Support Map (Scotland)
The Social Enterprise Support Map was created by Community Enterprise (CE). The Scottish Government has committed to a 10-year social enterprise strategy with a significant support infrastructure. Each year Community Enterprise work with social entrepreneurs and a common trait they all have is a passion to do good and their dedication is inspirational. Yet knowing how to harness this passion and turn it into a sustainable social enterprise can be a difficult hurdle in the early days of development.
Accessing the right support at the right times is pivotal but knowing where to start can be daunting. The third sector is constantly adapting and keeping up to date with the relevant resources can be a full time job. This is why the Social Enterprise Scotland Map (SE map) was created to make the journey easier.
Useful Organisations
Just Enterprise
A programme designed to help sustain, develop and grow social enterprises and enterprising charities in Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government, Just Enterprise offers targeted and tailored support to complement and enhance the advice available locally.
Accelerate
Accelerate is a support programme for the Third Sector and community organisations. Support is free and aims to help groups and organisations become more sustainable and enterprising.
Firstport
Firstport is Scotland’s development agency for social entrepreneurs and social enterprise. Firstport started work in 2007 to help social entrepreneurs bring forward their ideas and to make them happen.
UnLtd
The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs is a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom set up by seven organisations that promote social entrepreneurship.
Scottish Rural Action
Scottish Rural Action supports the rural movement in Scotland. They work with their members and partners at national, regional and community levels to build a grassroots-led rural movement in Scotland that connects rural communities with each other and with politicians and decision-makers.
Scottish Rural Network
The Scottish Rural Network (SRN) encourages rural development by sharing information, ideas and good practice. We work with, and for, anyone who lives, works or has an interest in rural Scotland.
The SRN is supported by a team in the Scottish Government called the Network Support Unit.
