Links

The official web site of local government in Argyll and Bute

HIE's aim is to enable the people of the Higghlands & Islands to realise their full potential. This aim will be achieved by the development of a buoyant economy driven by competitive businesses, creating a wide range of opportunities for skilling the workforce and helping the inhabitants build vibrant communities.

Senscot's vision is of a socially just Scotland where social entrepreneurs and their initiatives are a valued part of everyday life. To achieve this, Senscot builds and services a network to help social entrepreneurs become more effective.

The Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ) is a social enterprise support agency based in Inverness, covering the Highlands and Islands of Scotland from Argyll & Bute to Orkney & Shetland. HISEZ is ideally located to provide advice and guidance to social enterprise organisations who are looking to expand and develop or for aspiring organisations interested in exploring the social enterprise option. Regular newsletters- the Ezone - are available on from the Publications section of ABSEN or HISEZ

DTA Scotland is the national body for development trusts in Scotland. Discover the fast growing network of development trusts in Scotland and the real difference they are making to the communities in which they are based. Development trusts offer a fresh approach to community regeneration. Independent and under community control, these organisations draw together the energy, commitment and creativity of local people to tackle local issues. Through social enterprise and the ownership of local assets, development trusts address the economic, social, cultural and environmental needs of their communities

Firstport is a registered charity, working to support new and emerging social entrepreneurs throughout Scotland. Do you have a passion to develop a new social enterprise? Do you want to establish an enterprise with high social as well as business aims? If so they can help you: Define your vision Determine your next steps Get information on practical matters Build a network of contacts and support - within the site you can find a searchable directory of practitioners Find someone to encourage you Get help finding start up money

The Social Enterprise Academy offers courses accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management and whose awards are aligned with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). It is a social enterprise and most of its courses are delivered by tutors drawn from the social enterprise sector. The Academy can tailor learning and development for people working in, or towards, a leadership role in the social economy. Their approach is to encourage innovation and creativity by focussing on individual participants and their personal development as entrepreneurial leaders. The Academy has offices in dinburgh and Inverness but delivers courses throughout Scotland to the public, private, as well as the social economy sector. They can also tailor modules to create an in-house learning programme to suit your organisation. The Academy is a great place to start looking at relevant qualifications for the sector - either for your own personal development or those of your team.

Established for nearly twenty five years now, CBS Network are a well respected NGO working from an office base in Edinburgh. Their aim is to promote, encourage and support the principles and practice of community owned and controlled enterprises, enabling local communities to become more self reliant and sustainable.

Argyll & Bute Council are carrying out a widespread consultation with the Third Sector on behalf of the Community Planning Partnership. YOUR VIEWS ARE NEEDED ! Please take a look and complete the survey BEFORE THE END OF JULY.

If Social enterprises are to grow - they needto have access to securing new businesses. The Public Sector spends £billions each year and the Scottish Government has helped set up a website where public bodies advertise their contracts. Argyll & Bute Council use this site too......

The Scottish Investment Fund (SIF) is a £30 million fund provided by the Scottish Government to be delivered in the current spending review period (2008-2011). It aims to build capacity, capability and financial sustainability in the third sector, ensuring a strong and active third sector reaches its potential and makes a key contribution to the national outcomes of the Scottish Government.

£12million has been set aside for social enterpises by the Scottish Government. If you are an existing social enterprise that wants to grow then you must visit this site!

The Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition is the national collective lobbying and campaigns voice for social enterprise in Scotland. It is a membership-led organisation representing the needs and interests of social enterprise to politicians, policy makers and opinion formers. Join up and help influence the policies which may affect your future!

Rural Direct is a service designed to help rural community organisations to access funding from a range of sources including the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Rural Direct is a national service delivered locally by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). The SRDP is such an important funding opportunity you ought to find out more......

Every year BIG gives out millions of pounds from the National Lottery to good causes. Our money goes to community groups and to projects that improve health, education and the environment.

Information and news for the voluntary and community sector and also individual websites for voluntary groups

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