Tag: voluntary sector

Enterprise Ready boost for third sector

Enterprising third sector organisations are being encouraged to apply for grant awards of up to £250,000 as part of the Enterprise Ready Fund, John Swinney confirmed today.

Grants will be awarded to third sector organisations with the most sustainable and ambitious business plans, and new, emerging and established organisations have until 16 June 2014 to apply for funding.

The Enterprise Ready Fund will help organisations to develop further, become more efficient and self-sustaining, or diversify and enter into new markets. Priority is being given to activities that contribute towards the Scottish Government’s Prevention and Welfare Reform agendas.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainability John Swinney said: “The third sector plays an integral role in our society, providing superb services, creating employment opportunities and connecting with the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“We’ve had a great response to the Enterprise Ready Fund so far and as we look ahead to the New Year, I’m keen to remind organisations to apply for funding. I hope that by investing in the third sector and enhancing its self-sufficiency we can look forward to a future where these organisations play a full role in public sector reform.

“Through this investment successful applicants will be able to rely more on their own resources, be in a position to win more public sector contracts and be able to be more innovative and diversify into new markets.”

The fund is being delivered by a consortium of third sector organisations led by Foundation Scotland in partnership with Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), Developing Strathclyde Ltd (DSL) and the Social Value Lab.

Foundation Scotland’s Chief Executive, Giles Ruck said: “Foundation Scotland has received applications so far from a wide range of organisations and this funding will make a real difference to them and their communities. We’re keen to receive more applications to the Enterprise Ready Fund from third sector organisations needing investment to help them win more contracts, increase sales or become more efficient. Our team is happy to speak to potential applicants and we’d encourage people to visit our website or get in touch.”

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Forum to focus on sustance use

Substance use in North Edinburgh is the main theme of next week’s Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meeting, which will take place at 10am on Wednesday 23 October at North Edinburgh Arts. 

The meeting offers an opportunity to hear from the organisations who work in this field and learn how your organisation can work more closely with them. Substances use impacts not just on the  user but on families and the wider community too, so all local voluntary and community organisations are invited to join in the discussion.

For further information call EVOC’s Neighbourhood Partnership Development Officer Kate Kasprowicz on 555 9100 or email kate.kasprowicz@evoc.org.uk

 

Government cash to support families in need

The work being carried out by Pilton-based Circle Scotland was praised by Aileen Campbell, the Minister for Children and Young People, during a visit to the project yesterday. Ms Campbell also announced details of £10 million Strategic Partnership Funding for voluntary sector organisations working with children and families.

Families across Scotland will benefit from better support services with 45 third sector organisations receiving a funding boost from the Scottish Government. This £10 million of Strategic Partnership Funding will strengthen the work of young people’s organisations working across Scotland, in areas such as adoption, vulnerable families, child health, literacy, bereavement counselling and parental support.

Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell (pictured below, right) said: “We are working to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up, including increasing the level of free early learning and childcare through the Children and Young People Bill, which will save families equivalent to around £700 per child. Scottish families already benefit from a wide range of support and the organisations receiving a share of this £10 million will help to improve what is on offer. Thanks to our investment, great organisations like Circle, which I am visiting today, will be able to take their work further into the community, helping families in need across Scotland get access to the right information and resources.”

Funding of £20 million through the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and £10 million through Strategic Funding Partnerships was announced last month.

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The following 45 organisations will receive support through the Strategic Funding Partnerships to enhance or develop work focussed on supporting the needs of young people and their families:

Article 12 in Scotland, Asthma UK Scotland, Birthlink, British Association for Adoption and Fostering Scotland, Capability Scotland, Care and Learning Alliance, Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta), Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland, Dyslexia Scotland, Families Need Fathers Scotland, Family Service Unit Scotland (Circle), Fathers Network Scotland (FNS), Genetic Alliance UK, Girlguiding Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, Hearts and Minds, John Muir Trust, Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, Lead Scotland, Learning Link Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland, National Day Nurseries Association, Parent Network Scotland, Partners in Advocacy, Relationships Scotland Core, Relationships Scotland Project, Scotland’s Learning Partnership, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, Scottish Community Development Centre, Scottish Environmental & Outdoor Education Centres Association, Scottish Marriage Care, Scottish Trades Union Congress, Scottish Youth Parliament, Sense Scotland, Sleep Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade, The Girls Brigade in Scotland, The Iona Community, The Mentor Foundation UK (Mentor), Working On Wheels , The Princes Trust, The Scout Association, Woodcraft Folk , Workers’ Educational Association and YWCA Scotland.

Local Voluntary Sector Forum to meet on Tuesday

Forth and Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum will meet on Tuesday (9 April) at 10am in North Edinburgh Arts.

Edinburgh Community Health Partnership’s Steven Whitton will deliver a presentation on the proposed North West Edinburgh Partnership Hub and Jen Richards from Pilton Community Health Project will give information about hosting Trussel Trust’s North Edinburgh Food Bank.

A reminder also that places are still available for the EVOC Thinkspace event ‘A Right State?’ on Thursday 18 April. ‘A Right State?’ is an opportunity for the voluntary sector to discuss welfare reform.

The event, which is being held at the Calton Centre on Montgomery Street from 9:30am to 1.00pm, will be built around small group discussions, with contributions from a range of ‘informed voices’ including Adrian Sinfield (Professor Emeritus of Social Policy, University of Edinburgh), SCVO’s Lynn Williams, Alan Sinclair of the City of Edinburgh Council, Linda Savage (Job Centre Plus) and Inclusion Scotland’s Bill Scott.

To register for this important event email dianne.morrison@evoc.org.uk  by Friday 12 April.

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Meet the Funders event in April

Meet The Funders 18 April

Is your community group looking for funding? Daft question, really – things have never been tougher for the voluntary sector. There are still some funding opportunities out there, however, and next month at the Assembly Rooms there’s a chance to meet potential sponsors.

The city council-organised Neighbourhood Partnership ‘Meet the Funders’ event takes place on Thursday 18 April from 1 – 4pm at the Assembly Rooms on George Street. An impressive group of funding providers will be exhibiting on the day, so if you’re a group looking for support this is an opportunity not to be missed. It’s completely informal and you can drop in any time – put the date in your diary now!

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