Social enterprise - Driving a Wellbeing Economy for Scotland: action plan 2024-2026

Summary

This final action plan intends to realise the ambition of the strategy and support initiatives that align with both our 10-year strategic goals and National Performance Framework. Supporting the growth of the Third Sector and social enterprises is crucial for our vision of progressing towards a society that is fairer and greener and one that has inclusive growth at its heart.

Key Actions Supported

Stimulating Social Enterprise

1. Invest £3.2m in the Social Entrepreneurs Fund across the life of this Action Plan, expanding access to include applications from community groups.

2. Ensure that Scottish social enterprises are promoted, recognised and valued as mainstream business models both within Scotland and internationally.

3. Continue to invest in entrepreneurship and commercialisation opportunities across the social enterprise ecosystem.

4. Provide additional support to enable social enterprises to embrace digital transformation.

5. Enhance support and coordination for social enterprises looking to access funding or business support.

6. Encourage local and regional networking and collaboration by Social Enterprise Networks (SENs) and Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs).

7. Open a dialogue with the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) to encourage investment into the social enterprise ecosystem.

Developing Stronger Organisations

8. Promoting and showcasing ‘best practice’ across the social economy both within Scotland and globally.

9. Advocate for supportive policies and raise awareness of social enterprises across Public Sector organisations.

10. Conduct a review of funding and social investment mechanisms to ensure alignment with sector needs.

11. Reinvest financial returns from the Scottish Social Growth Fund back into the social enterprise ecosystem to support organisations in crisis.

12. Reinvest financial returns from the Scottish Social Growth Fund to support increased diversity and inclusion within the social enterprise ecosystem.

13. Increase the diversity of social enterprise boards to reflect the population of Scotland.

Realising Market Opportunities

14. Launch a national Buy Social marketing campaign and promote Buy Social Scotland Internationally.

15. Develop a thematic directory of social enterprises in Scotland.

16. Consortia Development and Procurement Support Programme.

17. Explore the potential to launch a national Social Enterprise Dynamic Purchasing System.