The Scottish Government has announced that public bodies in Scotland will be required to put reducing poverty and inequality at the heart of their decision making, the first government in the UK to commit to such a pledge. Once implemented, it will mean bodies like councils and the NHS must consider what more they can do to reduce poverty and inequality, whenever they make major decisions. A consultation will ask which public bodies should be subject to the duty and what they need to do to demonstrate they are carrying it out. Read the full Scottish Government press release here

September’s Social Enterprise Policy & Practice Conference hosted by CEIS will see the Scottish Government unveil the Social Enterprise Census 2017, shining a light on the state of SE across Scotland. The census steering group will be present to initiate and lead a discussion about the issues behind the data, current trends and how the findings should inform national policy. Delegates will then have the opportunity to participate in an interactive session on the research as well as break-out sessions and networking opportunities. Early bird tickets are available at a reduced price of £99 plus VAT for SEs. See here for more information and how to book your place.

 

Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance, launched a scheme to provide free sanitary products to low-income women and girls during a visit to SEN member CFINE in Aberdeen. CFINE have been awarded £10,000 by the Scottish Government to provide free sanitary products to 1,000 women and girls in a bid to reduce “period poverty” in the region. Dave Simmers, CFINE CEO, said: “We’ve been aware of this problem for many years after hearing about difficulties from women at our food banks. It’s been quite clear the cost of sanitary products are pricey at the best of times and can be exorbitant for many women who don’t have cash to spare.”

 

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival sees the capital’s population double from 500,000 to over a million, bustling with tourists looking for that special something that speaks of the authentic Edinburgh experience or a keepsake to take home. Big Bright Star Event Management are offering ten SEs the chance to run a stall in the centre of the city by St John’s Church for the entirety of the festival for only £790 plus VAT. Stalls can also be rented on a weekly or daily basis, but availability is expected to be extremely limited. See full flyer for details or call Debbie Whyte on 0131 552 1500 or 07747096784.

 

Just Enterprise has recently entered its 7^th year. Since the programme’s launch in 2011 almost 7,000 people across Scotland have taken advantage of the range of services - from start up to business support to learning and leadership. The new 2017 events programme is available here and applications are open for the business support service for both new and existing clients, more details here.

 

Huge congratulations to the Arrochar Community Hydro Society, who are now undertaking the building of a community hydro scheme to generate income for the local communities in an environmentally friendly scheme. The funds required to build the scheme were raised through a community share offer, which was open to local residents and the wider renewable energy community. The build cost of £660K was raised in just two weeks! A truly remarkable achievement which...Read more