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.
Location: Scotland wide
The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health conducts world-leading research to conceptualise and evidence ways that lives of individuals and communities can be improved through a better understanding of various community-based and health-focused initiatives.
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.
Culture & Business Scotland is an independent Scottish charity (Scottish charity SC042631). We act as the connector between culture and business sectors to enable, inspire and support exciting and mutually beneficial cross-sector relationships, to build knowledge, skills, and expertise where they’re needed most, and to champion the impact and value of cultural experiences on all of our lives.
Across Scotland, we support individuals to build their career management, work-based and employability skills, throughout their career journey, from school, into further learning opportunities and employment. We are able to use skills intelligence to help inform the decisions of people across Scotland, at all stages of their careers, so that they are well-placed to take up the opportunities arising within the economy.
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 Land Scotland represents Scotland’s new generation of community landowners, urban and rural; we work to inspire & support communities to own and develop land and assets and influence the public policies that can help them. We believe that we cannot create a more socially just Scotland without tackling land ownership issues – this means more of Scotland’s land in the hands of more of Scotland’s people. Whether you are at the early stages of thinking about land ownership as a community or you are an established community organisation already owning property, we look forward to hearing from you.
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.
The Circle is a multi-award winning ‘More Than Profit’ social enterprise operating in Dundee and Glasgow, founded to create and contribute towards vibrant and sustainable communities and providing affordable consultancy, training and workspaces. We are a hub for charities, social enterprises, commercial organisations, creatives, community groups, individuals, and socially aware businesses. We provide advice, support and training in all areas, including accessing funding, developing an entrepreneurial mindset, governance, and strategic planning.
We can provide one off spaces for meetings and temporary projects as well as longer term spaces for start-ups or organisations looking for co-working environments. Spaces are available across Staffa Place, Dundee and Easterhouse, Glasgow.
Our consultancy services provide you with advice and support on a range of topics from determining the legal structure of your organisation to writing grant applications. Our experienced consultancy team bring a range of skills and practical knowledge to their roles.
The Circle Academy is a practical and educational training programme for people interested in running ‘More Than Profit’ businesses. The programme is open for applications all year round and available to anyone wanting to create positive, social or environmental change in a sustainable and commercially viable way. Find out more.
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. The AHF exists to help communities and other not for private profit organisations find enterprising ways to revitalise the old buildings they love. We help with advice, grants and loans. Our support acts as a catalyst for putting sustainable heritage at the heart of vibrant local economies. For over 40 years, we’ve been the leading social investor in creating new futures for historic buildings.
Project Viability & Development Grants
With support from Historic Environment Scotland, Project Viability Grants are to fund initial studies to look at potential new uses for a building and at its current condition, usually resulting in a Viability Report produced to a standard template. Project Development Grants help add detail to outline plans, assisting in getting projects to the point that they can apply to larger capital funders. It can fund professional fees or capacity building for organisations.
With support from the William Grant Foundation, projects in Scotland may be eligible for the TSF. Projects applying are generally characterised by a community-led ethos, a desire to give new purpose to a building valued locally for its architectural heritage and plans that demonstrate strong social, economic or environmental benefits that meet local need. Projects that don’t fit well in other funding streams are particularly welcome to enquire and apply.
We can also support projects through loan finance, offering flexible and competitive terms to provide greater assistance to projects that will deliver local economic and community impact, as well as providing sustainable use of a historic building for future generations.
What is eligible for the Social Investment Programme?
Loan finance can be used for building acquisition, plugging a short-term funding gap, for working capital during a project delivery phase or to support further growth of a social enterprise or other community business based in a historic building. Contact Asha Karbhari to discuss any queries.
Our purpose is to support community-led action in Scotland to address the climate and nature emergency, working for a just, thriving and resilient Scotland. We are a volunteer-led network with full free membership open to any community group across Scotland that is taking action on the climate crisis and to any organisation that is involved with or supports community-led climate action. Individual free membership is open to anyone who is involved with or supports local, community-led action to address the same issues.
SCCAN membership is free and allows member organisations and individuals to access exclusive funding, development and networking opportunities. It also provides access to peer to peer learning, increasing the impact of organising in communities all across Scotland, and to collaborate on specific SCCAN contracts and commissions.
We’ve received support from the Scottish Government to train people to facilitate discussions around climate in people’s homes, with each session generating a lead for the next, eventually educating and empowering thousands of individuals to take action on climate. Read more about the programme and sign up for training here.
Community Learning Exchange (CLE)
CLE provides the solution to the financial barriers of site visits and networking, be it digital or face to face, an obstacle the Scottish Government has recognised as prohibitive to the potential of community groups. It is only available to groups who are members of the Scottish Community Alliance, of which SCCAN is one. It can cover travel, hosting, time for planning and other costs. Find out more here or contact us via email for more information.
The sole focus of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association is to support Scotland’s Shedders and their supporters to create sustainable and thriving Men’s Sheds in their communities across Scotland. If you need help, inspiration, or just a chat, you have come to the right place. The SMSA is not affiliated to any other UK Men’s Sheds Associations and works exclusively in Scotland as a registered Scottish charity, ‘In Scotland – For Scotland’. Our website has ample information to help you become part of the growing grass roots movement – become a member for free and gain access to our online resource library. We can also mail you information leaflets. We look forward to welcoming you to be a part of a life enhancing and thriving community!
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector. Our mission is to support, promote and develop a confident, sustainable voluntary sector in Scotland. We’re passionate about what the voluntary sector can achieve. Along with our community of 2,860 members and supporters, we believe that charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups make Scotland a better place.
Our Information Service is an online knowledge bank and enquiry service delivered by experts. We provide information, free resources and guidance for charities and voluntary organisations in Scotland.
Our experienced and knowledgeable Support Services teams can support you in delivering the core functions that keep your organisation running smoothly, including Managed I.T, Payroll, Office Space and HR.
Find funding for your charity, community group or social enterprise using our free online search engine. From small grants to funding for big capital projects, we can help you track down the funding you need to make a difference in your community.
Our programme of webinars, training and events focuses on the topical issues affecting Scotland’s voluntary sector. Sessions cover volunteering challenges, funding, social impact, leadership skills and our book club on the best non-fiction addressing the sector.
Creative Lives is a registered charity that was established in 1991. We champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, we celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring.
The Community Transport Association (CTA) is a national charity that represents and supports providers of community transport: thousands of local charities and community groups across the UK that all provide transport services that fulfil a social purpose and community benefit. We are for, and about, accessible and inclusive transport.
Our vision is of a world where people can shape and create their own accessible and inclusive transport solutions and our mission is to achieve this through championing accessible and inclusive transport, connecting people and ideas, and by strengthening our members and raising standards. We have 160+ members in Scotland and support them with advice, networking, policy work and anticipation of future challenges to the sector.
