We are a social enterprise passionate about empowering ethnic minority women with leadership and enterprise skills. Through our activities, we have become the link between our extensive network of Ethnic Minority entrepreneurs, and those with the potential to become one, in the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Activity: Business plan/support
Àrachas³ is a social enterprise set up to provide legal support and capacity building to social enterprises, ethical businesses and the wider third sector. We want to strengthen and support organisations to achieve their goals and benefit their communities. We are passionate about supporting organisations and want to empower, educate and create a culture of good practice, collaboration and build capacity of the sector and all organisations and individuals within it. We will do this by offering a range of support services, resources, and legal advice that is bespoke to each of our clients and provides a holistic approach to service delivery.
Another partner in the SBSEC, we are an independent voluntary organisation, it’s our job to support, inform, represent and provide services in the Berwickshire District Area of the Scottish Borders. We’ve been helping community and voluntary groups since 1971 (now we’re really showing our age), so you can be sure we know our stuff.
Arts & Business Scotland is an independent Scottish charity. We act as a conduit between the cultural and business sectors, helping to nurture the creative, social and commercial relationships that will enrich creativity and cultural engagement across Scotland. Our aim is to increase investment for the arts from businesses and individuals, while encouraging the exchange of business and creative skills in both sectors.
West Lothian Social Enterprise Network (WLSEN) is a membership network composed of leaders in social enterprise in West Lothian. Social enterprises help our communities thrive socially, environmentally and economically. We are proud of our diverse ecosystem of organisations covering sectors from cleaning and environmental management, to care services, employment and training, food, theatre, community, housing, children & young people, older people, business development, and so much more!
Our vision is for inclusive, more prosperous, better educated, and healthier communities on the Island of Lewis in particular and across the Outer Hebrides in general. We work closely with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), the Scottish Government and the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) on matters of governance, good practice, and ensuring effective third sector service delivery. We provide face to face advice on issues including governance, funding, volunteer support, PVG schemes, project development, organisational health checks, charitable status, dispute resolution and barriers to employment.
OHSEP offers practical support to social enterprises across the Hebrides, and is a partner on the Western Isles Third Sector Interface – TSI Western Isles. We help the Scottish Government meet its national outcome, ‘that social enterprise develops and grows’. We do this by acting as a voice for social enterprises, providing one to one guidance to social enterprises and aspiring social entrepreneurs (e.g. sign-posting for business planning, feasibility studies, legal structures, sources of finance, marketing); and attending regular networking meetings to provide general advice and updates on current affairs to those managing social enterprises and signposting social entrepreneurs to specialist training, such as employment law, marketing, and other areas.
Scotland Food & Drink are here to nurture, support and champion the people and products of Scotland’s food and drink industry to help deliver continued and growing success. They guide their members to realise untapped potential, to unlock new markets and maximise opportunities. They are committed to strengthening reputations, developing growth strategies and broadening networks which will deliver the competitive edge to members and continued success for Scotland’s food and drink industry.
TSI Western Isles works to support, develop and promote the interests and work of voluntary and community organisations in the Western Isles. We are one of the Third Sector Interfaces funded by the Scottish Government to provide a single point of access for support and advice for the third sector.
As a Third Sector Interface, WDCVS holds a unique position in supporting, promoting, developing and representing volunteering and sector activity across West Dunbartonshire. Our vision is of a West Dunbartonshire where everyone can contribute their enthusiasm, skills and drive, improving quality of life and opportunity in our communities.
Edinburgh Social Enterprise supports, promotes and develops social enterprise in Edinburgh and serves as a hub creating social and economic growth. Our mission is to create opportunities for Edinburgh’s Social Enterprise community to develop and thrive, recognising its positive impact on society and the local community.
Plunkett UK is a national charity that supports rural communities across the UK to tackle the issues they face through community-owned business. Community businesses are enterprises that are owned and run democratically by members of the community, on behalf of the community. From shops and pubs to farms and woodlands and everything in between, Plunkett’s small in-house team and network of advisers across the UK provide a helping hand to support groups from their first tentative steps, and continues to be there for them, year after year, as the business develops and grows.
Fife Historic Buildings Trust is a charitable trust working with Fife Council, community groups and others to find new users and funding to secure a long-term future for historic buildings at risk. We have helped deliver over £40m in historic environment regeneration projects in Fife, supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities.
Our vision is for vibrant and connected rural and island communities which have control over their future, and which contribute to building a society that is inclusive, just and sustainable. We work with our 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, politicians and decision makers, collaborate with seldom-heard groups to create platforms that enable their participation in the rural movement and collectively develop a cross-sectoral, locally informed understanding of rural Scotland’s economy, society and culture that shapes local practise and national policy.
Community Energy Scotland is a registered charity that provides practical help for communities, businesses and groups in green energy development and energy conservation. Our vision is of strong, well informed and capable communities across Scotland, able to take advantage of their renewable energy resources and address their energy issues in a way that builds a more localised, democratic and sustainable energy system.
