Grassmarket Community Project – The NEN

Scottish business club announces new annual charity partner

GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT ANNOUNCED AS THE NEW CHARITY PARTNER AT NETWORKING CLUB, ‘LOVE YOUR BUSINESS’

Grassmarket Community Project has been announced as the latest annual Charity Partner at business networking club, Love Your Business, which has attracted over 4500 attendees and 220 guest speakers since it started in 2018, including the Californian eco-entrepreneur Paul Tasner from PulpWorks.

Love Your Business, which runs monthly at Black Ivy Hotel in Bruntsfield, was founded by Michelle Brown from the eponymous PR agency which she started in 2014. The aim, which continues today, is to help start up and growth businesses to share skills, contacts, referrals and support each other.

Speakers who have shared their entrepreneurial and personal journeys over the years, include Chris van der Kuyl, the chairman and co-founder of the video game company 4J Studios, Social Bite co-founder and motivational coach, Alice Thompson, and former Scotland international rugby player, Scott Hastings.

This month’s speaker on Thursday 26^th March is Laura Thomas, the founder of the luxury lifestyle brand, Laura Thomas Co., who will be sharing her inspiring journey around setting up the business 12 years ago and opening her store in North Berwick four years ago. Her products are 100% natural and chemical-free and the packaging comes from recycled coffee cups and clients include Balmoral Estate, Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and Ballintaggart Hotel.

Over the past seven years the networking club has also supported a different charity each year with a percentage of ticket sales and marketing support.

These include Make 2nds Count, Support in Mind Scotland, now Change Mental Health, Epilepsy Scotland, Invisible Cities, Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh, Carers of East Lothian and last year, Scottish Action for Mental Health, SAMH.

This year’s partnership with Grassmarket Community Project will help to raise even more awareness of the much-needed emotional and practical support they provide for vulnerable people in the city to help enhance their life skills, develop confidence, increase their resilience and encourage self-reliance and independence.

The charity, which was founded 23 years ago and has 33 staff and 116 volunteers, offers everything from a befriending service and employability and training guidance to 25 free weekly activities like woodwork, gardening, meditation and literacy classes and runs a community cinema.

They also have a Coffee Saints café onsite in the Grassmarket and behind St James Quarter, a Tartan Shop with their very own tartan, and hire out event space for corporate events and weddings.

Helene van der Ploeg, Chief Executive Officer at Grassmarket Community Project, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen by Michelle to be her Charity Partner this year.

“As a charity incorporating social enterprises, we really value this partnership, which will help build vital networks among businesses and increase our profile through Michelle’s extensive marketing knowledge and skills.

“This will make such a difference in helping Grassmarket Community Project have a powerful voice for the thousands of people in our city, struggling with complex challenges and living in poverty, barely able to afford the essentials of life.”

Michelle said: “When I first learnt about the Grassmarket Community Project, providing emotional and practical support and services for people in the city who are struggling, I knew immediately I wanted to partner with them to help raise even more awareness of the great work they are doing.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Helene and the team to ensure more people know about the support they can get and locals and visitors to the city know about their tartan shop, café, venue hire and cinema screenings to help keep the charity going in the long term.

“Thanks to everyone who has bought a ticket for Love Your Business over the years and helped to support every Charity Partner.

“There are still tickets left for the networking event on the 26^th March with my very special guest speaker, Laura Thomas, who has a wonderfully inspiring story to share.”

Tickets are £20 and available on Eventbrite, link, https://bit.ly/4sCXXTt

Community Energy Hustings

THURSDAY 5th MARCH at 7pm

GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT

With the Scottish Parliament election just around the corner, the critical questions of who owns what and who benefits in the era-defining shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy are more pressing than ever.

Join us in person or online for a community energy hustings, hosted by the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy (Community Energy Scotland, Community Land Scotland & Development Trusts Association Scotland) where candidates from across the political spectrum will face your questions on local power.

This is our chance to demand clear commitments on support for community-owned renewable energy, on ensuring local wealth stays local, and on making sure the energy transition benefits every household, village and town across Scotland.

Thursday 5th March

Doors open for refreshments at 6:30pm, event starts at 7pm

Grassmarket Community Project, Edinburgh EH1 2QA (or join online!)

Find out more and secure your ticket here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/shape-scotlands-energy…

End Poverty Edinburgh Conference

EDINBURGH UNITES TO TACKLE POVERTY

The Council Leader and campaigners have come together to call for action to challenge the injustice of poverty in Scotland’s capital.

Staging an anti-poverty event this week (Wednesday 8 October), the End Poverty Edinburgh citizen group highlighted how around 80,000 people are living in relative poverty in Edinburgh.

The conference, held at the Grassmarket Community Project with people with lived experience of poverty, is part of Challenge Poverty Week 2025. Highlighting the need for poverty prevention and the injustice of poverty on marginalised communities, the event followed previous conferences held in 2023 and 2024.

In Edinburgh, a citywide commitment has been made to tackle poverty, which affects one in five children in the city. This includes accelerating the work of the End Poverty Edinburgh Action Plan – also tackling the city’s Housing Emergency and reviewing the way the council supports the third sector in Edinburgh.

A new preventative approach has been adopted with the aim of making it easier for people at risk of poverty to access support, while funding has been provided to Edinburgh’s new Regenerative Futures Fund, which will help local communities to lead poverty prevention and deliver change.

Caroline Cawley, a member of End Poverty Edinburgh, said: “This is our third annual conference, and we wanted to use this day as an opportunity to highlight the injustices facing marginalised groups, who are more likely to experience poverty in Scotland.

“Poverty and uncertainty for these groups is not getting better and many people are starting to lose hope. This is the worst thing to lose as hope is the last thing to go. As a group of Edinburgh residents with lived experience of poverty, we’ll continue to use Challenge Poverty Week to call for change and solutions, including greater poverty prevention in the city.”

Speaking at the event, Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “In Edinburgh around 80,000 residents are struggling to make ends meet, with one in five children living in relative poverty. We must continue to do everything in our power to end poverty in Edinburgh.

“I’m proud of the positive work which is already being done to combat the causes of inequality in the city, and this annual conference highlights the incredible efforts of our third sector, council officers, and city partners to make life better for thousands of people across the city. Without this progress, these statistics would be even more stark.

“We can’t address poverty alone and this Challenge Poverty Week, we’re uniting for change, highlighting the injustice of poverty in our communities.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week. In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society.

“But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

The End Poverty Edinburgh Conference is the first of three major poverty events happening in Edinburgh this month. On 25 October, the Scotland Demands Better rally led by the Scottish Poverty Alliance will take place in Edinburgh.

Then, on 31 October, the Edinburgh Poverty Commission will host a public event to launch the publication of their most recent findings on the actions needed to end poverty in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, during Challenge Poverty week, poverty stigma training is being rolled out to Council employees to increase awareness of poverty and to help people access the support they need.

A Council pop-up in Gilmerton Library is also offering information on benefits, building skills, money advice and links to the community food pantry in Gilmerton community centre.

Information for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can also be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages

Sculpture unveiled to mark legacy of Edinburgh theatre company

Friends and supporters of Arkle Theatre Company have unveiled a sculpture to mark the thirty year legacy of grassroots theatre and to recognise the contribution of founders Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan to the arts.

The sculpture was unveiled at a reception attended by alumni of the theatre company and held at this year’s Fringe Central at Grassmarket Community Project on Monday (18 August).

The sculpture has been commissioned from Edinburgh blacksmith and artist Jack Waygood, and depicts a mischievous figure of Puck sat atop a step ladder and holding the full moon.

The design was inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of The 39 Steps; two favourite plays of Arkle Theatre founders and the ensemble productions that made up the company’s final Fringe performances. The work is due to go onto public display at the new Fringe Hub when it opens on Infirmary Street in 2026.

Talking about the artwork and contribution Arkle Theatre Company has made to the arts in Edinburgh, Head of Artist Services at the Fringe Society, Chris Snow said: “Edinburgh is packed year-round with talent – professional theatre companies, students and community groups alike.

“In this year’s Fringe programme hundreds of shows are presented by Edinburgh-based teams. Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan have led Arkle Theatre for 30 years, with the company performing more than 50 shows at the festival.

“The new Fringe Central isn’t just for August – it’s to provide support and space to our local artistic community year-round. We are proud to be a home for this sculpture, commissioned to mark the final Arkle productions and honour Rob and Michael’s legacy to the city and even the festival.”

Arkle Theatre Company was founded in 1996 by Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan who had previously been members of Edinburgh People’s Theatre. The company’s first production was Womberang by Sue Townsend, which was performed in August 1996 at Theatre East End, St Pauls and St George’s Church Hall.

Arkle went on to stage 85 productions in close to 500 performances in the subsequent 29 years, performing at over 20 different venues across Edinburgh and Scotland, and engaging the talent of over 200 Edinburgh based actors, directors, technicians, and artists.

Reflecting on 30 years, Arkle founder Michael Mulligan said: “You only get out what you put in.

“You couldn’t pay me to act, I can’t act. So I’ve been doing the one thing I like to do, and that is to give talented people a chance to perform. It’s as simple as that.”

Rob Mackean added: “So many people just see the actors on the stage and they don’t realise the hours and hours of rehearsal and all the preparation behind the rehearsals that goes on.

“The performance is just the tip of the iceberg of what we do. It’s only when you’ve done something like this for 30 years or more that you realise people have no concept of all that stuff that goes on behind the scenes.”

The company’s final season came to a close at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it staged four productions at The Royal Scots Club; Nancy’s Philosopher, George, Don’t Do That… The Joy of Joyce Grenfell, The 39 Steps and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The sculpture by Jack Waygood (above) and gifted by friends of Arkle Theatre Company to Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan will be placed on public display at the new Fringe Central on Infirmary Street when it opens in 2026.

Edinburgh Remakery: RetroTech Fundraiser

AUCTION: FRIDAY 28th MARCH 6.15 – 11.30PM

at GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT

Guess who made it to STV? That’s right — our Retro Tech Fundraiser is getting the spotlight it deserves!

Click here to watch the segment: https://player.stv.tv/episode/4pkc/stv-news-edinburgh

Tickets are still up for grabs; scan the QR code and don’t miss your chance to party like it’s the 1980s!

JINGLE BELLS: A story for Christmas

I was picking my grandsons up from school last week, and I overheard a fascinating conversation in the playground …

Three women were waiting on their kids coming out. I saw them every week and we were on nodding terms. One of them was a tall lady, quite distinguished looking. She smiled, she nodded, she shook her head – but she rarely spoke.

The other two more than made up for her, though. Maggie and Lisa. They never stopped. Maybe the tall woman had just given up trying to get a word in.

“You going to the Nativity tomorrow, Margaret?”

“Nativity? Nativity! I’ll no be going to any fuckin’ nativity!

Don’t hold back, Margaret, speak up! I thought to myself.

Margaret was a tiny wee mum in a tracksuit. Her voice was really loud for someone so small – very impressive. A miniature foghorn! Feisty, I would call her – but not to her face, though!

“Why are you no’ goin, Margaret?” asked Lisa, Margaret’s mate. They were always together, and I’m pretty sure Lisa knew very well why Margaret wasn’t going to the Nativity play. I would wager wee Maggie had talked about nothing else for days.

“Hunter’s a donkey!” Margaret said. “That bitch has made my Hunter a fuckin’ donkey! That’s why I’m no’ goin’”

“What bitch, Margaret?” the first woman asked, probably innocently enough.

“Mrs Bell. Mrs fuckin’ Bell. She’s got it in for my Hunter. Hunter should have been Joseph. He had his heart set on it – he’s been going to drama classes and everything – and she makes him a fuckin’ DONKEY!’

Heads were starting to turn. Lisa said: “Keep yer voice doon, Margaret. The bairns will be oot the now!”

“Sorry, hen. I’m still fuckin’ livid” Margaret’s volume dropped a few decibels – but only a few.

“At least he’s got a part, Margaret. And did he no’ get asked to leave the drama class?”

If Margaret’s pal was trying to calm her down (and I’m not convinced she was, really), it had the opposite effect

“No, we took him out of that class, it was rubbish. Hunter is just full of energy and ideas and they couldn’t channel it properly. It was their fault. Arty-farty idiots.”

She paused for breath “What makes it worse – what really makes me SO FUCKIN’ MAD – is that that wee goody two shoes William is playing Joseph. Everybody knows he’s Joseph just because his mother is Chair of the PTA. Mrs Bell had got it in for my Hunter – and she’s a crawling bitch!”

With Margaret in full flow the women hadn’t noticed that the school bell had sounded and the children were coming out. I hoped my own grandkids would not be out too quickly as I wanted to hear the end of this saga.

The wee group was approached by another woman. “Good afternoon, ladies. Will we be seeing you at the Nativity play tomorrow?”

A strange transformation came over Margaret. She became a different person – and even sounded strangely posh! “Oh yes, Mrs Bell. We’re really looking forward to it – my Hunter is so very excited. He can hardly wait!”

As Mrs Bell walked off to speak to another group, Lisa said: “WELL, you certaintly telt here there, Margaret! You really put her in her place!”

There was a brief pause, and Margaret burst out laughing.

“You cow! That’s you off the Christmas card list, as well!”

The three women were still laughing as they left with their kids.

I never heard how Hunter got on as the donkey and whether young William was a triumph as Joseph. And I’ll never know if Margaret sent Lisa a Christmas card – but I think she probably did.

Happy Christmas everyone!

This story was written for Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen Writers Christmas event at Grassmarket Community Project.

Scottish Government unveils 2030 Route map to circular economy

PLAN TO BOOST REUSE AND RECYCLING

Actions aimed at ensuring households and businesses in Scotland boost reuse and recycling rates and cut waste have been published.

The Circular Economy and Waste Route Map sets out 11 priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated to support a transition to a circular economy – where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.

They include:

setting new circular economy targets
reducing the amount of food waste produced
developing a model for regional hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets
improving the provision of recycling and waste services
minimising the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector

The Route Map is the product of extensive collaboration and engagement with the public, private and third sectors through two consultations since 2022, with consistently high levels of support for the proposals.

The overall recycling rate in Scotland is at its highest level since records began in 2011, and the actions in the Route Map complement provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, which was passed unanimously by MSPs in June.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin launched the Route Map at a visit to Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, which upcycles discarded wooden furniture into new items.

She said: “Reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.

“We must make the circular option, where we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, either in their original form or recycled, an easier choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.

“The Route Map sets out an ambitious plan to help make this a reality and I want to thank all those who have contributed to its development.

“There have been consistently high levels of support for its actions, which promote and support responsible production and consumption, along with the sustainable management of Scotland’s resources – and the final route map will be key to supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero and economic growth goals.”

Helene van der Ploeg, CEO of the Grassmarket Community Project said: “We pride ourselves on our initiatives to repurpose, recycle and reuse through our wood workshop, and Tartan shop. Old furniture, church pews and fallen trees are donated and re-worked into beautiful pieces of furniture or small household items. Leftover tartan from weavers, and donated fabric scraps are handcrafted into beautiful gifts.

“These materials, once considered waste and destined for landfill, are now valuable contributors to the circular economy. Thanks to generous donations, we’re recycling these materials, giving them new purpose, and creating timeless treasures that will be passed down through generations.

“Along the way, we generate income, provide essential skills training for our members (beneficiaries) and volunteers, all of which embodies and reinforces the values of the Route Map and our commitment to the circular economy.”

Read the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map

Summary of priority actions:

* = Relates to provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024

Publish a Product Stewardship Plan to set out how we will tackle the environmental impact of priority products by 2025/26
Develop an intervention plan to guide long-term work on household food waste reduction behaviour change by 2026/27
*Develop with stakeholders’ effective options to implement mandatory reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses from 2025/26
Support the development of a model for regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets from 2025-2027
*Facilitate a co-design process for high quality, high performing household recycling and reuse services, 2024 – 2026
Review of compliance with commercial recycling requirements, 2026
Co-design measures to improve commercial waste service provisions, commencing by 2030
Develop a Residual Waste Plan to 2045, by 2027
Facilitate the development of a Sector-Led Plan to minimise the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector, by 2027
*Develop a circular economy strategy every five years, with first one published in 2026
*Set new circular economy targets by 2027.

Edinburgh community groups hit National Lottery funding jackpot

NEDAC RECEIVES £133,000 LIFELINE

Community groups across Edinburgh are celebrating the news of their National Lottery funding today (WEDNESDAY 17 July). 

Over 500 community projects share in this latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, totalling £17,341,549. The funds will be directed towards bringing local people together and providing essential services across Scotland.

A full list of successful applicants can be found below.

North Edinburgh Drug and Alcohol Centre receives £133,334. NEDAC, (formerly SHADA) who have been based in Muirhouse since 1983, will continue to deliver their service helping people who struggle to engage with mainstream services.

People who are at the highest risk of drug-related death who have long-term substance misuse/mental health issues will be assisted to gain control over their lives.

Drylaw Telford Community Association receives £20,000. The Neighbourhood Centre will use the funding over one year, for their 50 years+ Link Worker.

This project will benefit the over 50s community in North Edinburgh; and in particular those at high risk of being socially isolated.

An award of £19,513 means the Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust will run a sustainable food project which will recycle food to produce jars of preserves which they will sell to the community and to farmers’ markets.

Rob Hoon, Chief Executive, Out of the Blue, said; “The ‘Preserves’ project is a new and exciting adventure for us, and this funding will allow us to process at least 4,000kg of ingredients per annum to make quality products that extend the shelf life of that food for up to 12 months.

“We will achieve this by producing small batch jams, pickles and preserves embracing traditional methods of preservation. We will work with people and community groups to support them to make their traditional preserves and gain new cooking skills.

The Grassmarket Community Project will run a programme of weekly digital skills workshops for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness after an award of £19,763.

Helene Van des Ploeg, Chief Executive Officer, Grassmarket Community Project, said: “Digital skills are so vitally important for all of us, whether it just be for connecting with friends or family through social media, writing a CV and applying for jobs or developing skills to open opportunities for employment through accredited learning.

“We will offer a high-quality service in which members can access new IT skills at any level and tailor the learning to match the needs of the individual and support them to work at their own pace, achieving their goals. We really appreciate the support that this funding will give us to go ahead with this vital project that will enable our members to flourish in the future.”

Thanks to an award of £63,189, Space at the Broomhouse will be able to extend their opening hours on Saturdays and provide more activities on offer.

Neil, Hay, CEO, Space at the Broomhouse, said: “We know that costs have risen significantly for all charities and community groups in the past few years and wanted to find a way to assist.

“Room hire, especially for smaller groups who do not have their own premises, is a big part of their costs, so we approached The National Lottery Community Fund to see if they could help.

“Thanks to their support we are in a position to offer a whole raft of help to the community, including free use of the halls at Space well into 2025.”

An award of £173,409, will enable Networking Key Services to run an innovative project which will use storytelling to build confidence in talking about challenging topic and issues.

Over the course of the next three years the project will work with hundreds of people from South Asian communities across the city.

Naina Minhas, Director, Networking Key Services, said: “The ‘Breaking Silence and Improving Lives’ aims to empower communities by giving them a collective voice to address issues affecting them.

“Through storytelling, the project will identify complex challenges and raise these with relevant services to improve quality of live for communities.”

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “As The National Lottery approaches its 30^th birthday it’s wonderful to see how the funding continues to help change lives for the better and just what can be accomplished when people join forces for a shared purpose or to support one another.

“National Lottery players should be proud to know the money they raise is supporting people across Edinburgh to lead happier and healthier lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.    

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk    

lottery-winners-july24 Download

Greenpeace: Invitation to The Cost of Living documentary screening and panel discussion

Where:

Grassmarket Community Project

86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QA.

When:

Thursday 17th November 19:30 – 21:00

What:

Greenpeace Edinburgh will be hosting a town hall event at the Grassmarket Community Project focused on the cost of living and climate crises. As part of the event, we will be showing a screening of Greenpeace’s latest documentary, “The Cost Of Living”.

This short documentary tells the story of volunteers in food banks and community centres across Rother Valley in Yorkshire. Feeling neglected and left behind by the government and facing enormous energy bills, more and more people rely on their community to help put food on their table and provide a warm refuge.

Food banks, social cafes and community centres are being stretched to the limit as winter looms large. As the women of Rother Valley try to keep their communities afloat, the government’s inaction stands in stark contrast.

Both the cost of living and climate crises can be solved by investing in renewable energy, properly insulating homes and providing people with the skills and training needed to deliver this green energy revolution.

The screening of the approx. 10 minute documentary will be followed by a panel discussion, featuring representatives from organisations including Living Rent, Just Stop Oil, Fuel Poverty Action and Leith Community Crops in Pots.

Get in touch:

greenpeace-edinburgh@live.co.uk

https://linktr.ee/greenpeace.edinburgh

Event Details:

https://greenwire.greenpeace.org.uk/s/event/a2X4H000000opddUAA/edinburgh-townhall-meeting-on-the-cost-of-living-and-climate-crisis?language=en_US

https://fb.me/e/dstTnhBlT

Deacon Blue star opens new community café and pavilion in Grassmarket

Offering everything from woodwork classes to meals for those who are homeless, the Grassmarket Community Project aims to create a community and provide sanctuary for those in the city who are often excluded.

The registered charity runs the fully accessible community hub and café on Candlemakers Row where people can pop in for their caffeine fix and something fresh to eat knowing that all proceeds support social good in the area.

However, with demand for their services growing year on year, and with the café rapidly running out of space, the registered charity secured funding from Foundation Scotland.

An investment of over £375,000 has enabled the organisation to extend its existing facilities and create a brand-new pavilion space hosting Coffee Saints, a larger, bright and friendly café and improved spaces for activities.

Ricky Ross is a long-term supporter of the Grassmarket Community Project’s work and was there on the night to officially open the space and meet staff, volunteers, supporters and local people.

Foundation Scotland, Scotland’s community foundation, offers social investment funding to social enterprises, community organisations and charities. Up to 50% of the funding is through a non-repayable grant, with the remainder through a loan. Foundation Scotland’s social investment team prides itself on its relationship-based support and helps successful applicants to raise further funds.

Chris Holloway, Head of Social Investment at Foundation Scotland, said: “Grassmarket Community Project secured over £375,000 from Foundation Scotland and we have worked closely together across the last few years to get to this exciting stage.

“Jonny and the team have worked so hard to get to where we are today. It’s great to finally have the doors open and get to see inside the spaces which will mean so much to so many.

“The funding landscape has changed monumentally post-covid. There are far less available opportunities for capital costs, and building costs are rising significantly. Yet we know groups urgently need this support to get started or grow. We’ve invested over £12.5 million in 72 organisations across the last ten years.

“This funding, combined with our dedicated and experienced support, has delivered transformational change. We enable socially conscious groups to become more sustainable, grow, and become less reliant on grant funding. It’s a win-win all round, and our impact reporting shows that this funding model works.

“We are encouraging all interested groups to visit our website or contact our team directly to discuss your eligibility”.

Jonny Kinross, CEO of Grassmarket Community Project, said: “The support we’ve received from the team at Foundation Scotland has been instrumental in enabling us to plan, develop and now finally officially open our fantastic new café and pavilion in the centre of the city.

“We’re extremely grateful to have received such a significant sum across the combination of loan and grant funding but above this, the team have offered a real partnership approach to the finance, which has been so refreshing and supportive.

They have taken the time to understand our business, the challenges and the opportunities presented.

“Like everyone else, our project was inevitably held up through the crisis, but the team have been with us every step of the way. We are so excited that our doors are now open, and we can’t wait to meet old and new friends for a coffee in the new café.”

Foundation Scotland’s ‘Investing in Enterprise Fund’ offers up to a quarter of a million pounds in blended finance to eligible social enterprises, community organisations and charities operating in 18 local authority areas.

For more information, including details on how to apply for the Investing in Enterprise Fund visit:

foundationscotland.org.uk/social-investment