Tag: Edinburgh Social Enterprise

Third sector hustings: Preventing Poverty for the People of Edinburgh

Be part of a conversation with some of the candidates standing for election in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface (EVOC, Volunteer Edinburgh, Edinburgh Social Enterprise) and the Poverty Alliance invite you to be part of an conversation with some of the candidates standing for election on Thu 5 May.

The main focus of this event is the challenges arising from cost-of-living increases that are impacting people and communities across the City linked to:

  • the importance of a thriving voluntary sector
  • the benefits of an enterprising City
  • the need for wealth building within communities

Welcome & Introduction: Bridie Ashrowan, Claire Pattullo, Paul Wilson.

Panel Q&A:

  • Claire Miller, Edinburgh Greens candidate for City Centre
  • Vicky Nicolson, SNP candidate for Inverleith
  • Ross McKenzie, Labour candidate for Sighthill / Gorgie
  • Neil Ross, Liberal Democrats candidate for Morningside
  • Representatives from each of the political parties have been invited.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

Please submit any questions you have in advance, or if you are unable to attend the event to: comms@evoc.org.uk

ZOOM LINK:

The link will be sent out to everyone who has registered by 1pm on the day.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Mha0R6

Wellbeing Fund is open for bids

Third sector organisations across Scotland are being encouraged to apply for emergency funding to help cope with the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19).

More than 2000 charities, community and voluntary groups, and social enterprises are being offered immediate financial support from the £50 million Wellbeing Fund, which has been established to assist third sector organisations working with people impacted by the pandemic.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell announced yesterday that organisations will also be able to submit an expression of interest to access financial support through the website of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Ms Campbell said: “Last month, I announced a £350 million package of emergency funding for a wide range of organisations, as communities across Scotland are already adapting their services to ensure they are providing vital support to people who are worst affected by COVID-19.

“This £50 million funding will help to continue that work as well as supporting new services to get people through these difficult times.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “The Wellbeing Fund has already seen much-needed money get to the frontline. Today it is being opened up to an even broader range of voluntary organisations.

The voluntary sector has stepped up in communities across Scotland to provide vital support to people who really need it and it’s great to see the Scottish Government recognise that.

“Scotland has been ahead of the game in understanding the vital role that charities and community groups play in dealing with the impact of Cornonavirus and at SCVO we are pleased to be playing our part.”

Any organisation wishing to submit an expression of interest can do so through the Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub on the SCVO website here.

The £50 million Wellbeing Fund is part of a £350 million package announced by the Scottish Government to support those most affected by the pandemic, and enable a swift response according to local need.

Of this, £10 million has been allocated for immediate priorities and £7 million committed to support around 2000 charities through small grants.

This leaves £33 million of the Wellbeing Fund now open to bids from third sector organisations.

The Scottish Government is working with Corra, Inspiring Scotland, the STV Appeal and SCVO to allocate the funding.

They will be assisted by Scotland’s network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) – business gateways which provide a single point of contact and support for charities and social enterprises, with an active presence in every local authority in Scotland.

Three organisations make Up Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface. They are EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council), Volunteer Edinburgh and Edinburgh Social Enterprise.

Constance: Scotland’s social enterprise is world leader

‘Social enterprises are contributing to a fairer, more equal and inclusive Scotland’  – Communities Secretary Angela Constance

Scotland’s social enterprise strategy has delivered more than £7 million of investment in its first year. Since the strategy was launched in December 2016, £1.2 million has gone into free specialist business support, £1.1 million into a national social enterprise incubator and £330,000 to provide social enterprise learning in primary and secondary schools across the country.

Social enterprises are businesses that trade for the common good. They seek to make profits, but are committed to reinvesting these into a social or environmental mission.  Launched at the Grassmarket Community Project, winner of Social Enterprise of the Year 2017, the strategy is Scotland’s first ever long-term plan for the sector and is set over ten years.

Reflecting on the strategy’s first year, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance said: “Scotland’s social enterprise sector is seen as a world leader thanks to more than a decade of sustained investment and support. Social enterprises trade for the common good; strengthen our communities, improve people’s life chances and protect the environment.

“Our ten-year strategy demonstrates our on-going commitment to this innovative sector.  I’m delighted to see it helping so many social entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas in reality.  This is just the start and I’m looking forward to see how many more wonderful projects will flourish over the next nine years.

“Social enterprises contribute £2 billion to our economy each year and employs 80,000 people; so they are contributing to the wider economy as well as delivering projects and services in local communities. They are contributing to a fairer, more equal and inclusive Scotland.”

Edinburgh’s social enterprises have continued to flourish. A recent report produced by Edinburgh Social Enterprise (below) shows increased numbers of volunteers, paid staff and turnover: paid posts have increased by almost 10 times in 4 years (3.5 times in 2 years) showing that social enterprise is a growing area for employment, whilst volunteer hours contributed an estimated value of £1.29m to social enterprises for the 12 months to July 2017.

More Social Enterprises are reporting higher percentages of income coming from trade, rather than other sources of income, such as grants, with some members reporting 100% income from trade. Edinburgh Social Enterprises continue to show high levels of consumer facing trade, with 49% selling direct to the public.

In summary, Social Enterprise is creating employment, training and volunteering opportunities: increasingly contributing to Edinburgh’s economy: becoming more robust and sustainable as a sector (against challenging market conditions) and increasingly trading at an international level.

Social Enterprises provide vital support and services to the most vulnerable people in Edinburgh, with 76% of respondents reporting that they have 200 or more beneficiaries.

ESE_Impact_Report_2017