Edition No.24, Thursday, 10th December 2020 No images? Click here Dear , As we approach the end of a challenging year – on many levels - it seems appropriate to reflect on our activity over the last twelve months. 2020 has been, and always will be, associated with the Covid pandemic and its impact across the globe. The impact on social enterprises in Scotland and the communities they serve has been well-documented through this Newsletter since the first days of lockdown in late March. SENScot’s own specific interventions included Reset Week in May – followed up in November with Restart and Rebuild Week. Together, the two weeks attracted around 1500 attendees, participating in over 40 online sessions. Over and above these two week-long events, other activities over the year worth reflecting on have included: 48 monthly Thematic Newsletters; over 40 thematic SEN meetings; 5 Community Learning Exchanges hosted; ongoing support to 20 local SENs; supporting the development of a series of local Social Enterprise Strategies – as well as participating in the ‘drafting group’ for the new, national SE Action Plan. In addition, specific initiatives developed include Pockets and Prospects 2020 and a new Community Tourism Pilot. These Slides give a snapshot on activity – mainly with regards to thematic SENs. Next week, we’ll have some reflections on our most significant development – from an internal perspective – the merging of Senscot and Social Firms Scotland into Social Enterprise Network Scotland (SENScot) in July. A fortnight ago, saw the launch of the draft Social Enterprise Net Zero Strategy – encouraging all social enterprises in Scotland to unite and lead the way to NetZero transitions by 2045. This week, the Net Zero Strategy Steering Group meets up to consider next steps as part of its consultation process – more info’ next week. On this same theme, three articles have caught our eye this week. The first is a new report by Nature Scot – which reveals the huge opportunity for nature-based jobs to help Scotland secure a green recovery and support the transition towards a net-zero economy. The second article is by Martin Valenti (Head of Climate Enterprise at Scottish Enterprise) – on Scotland’s role in the global journey towards a greener, more sustainable, low-carbon future. We guess the info’ in this third article will not surprise anyone. ------------------------------- Last week saw a debate in the Scottish Parliament – Valuing the Third Sector - highlight the importance of multi-year funding to help the third sector rebuild after Covid-19. The debate was a follow up to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s Valuing the Third Sector report in 2019 – and concluded by ‘asking Govt to set up a working group, involving key stakeholders, to examine longer-term funding models, and for its conclusions to be made available before the end of this parliamentary session’. This will obviously be welcomed across the sector – but, in truth, it is an old chestnut that has been raised on numerous occasions in the past. In view of the events of the last nine months and the key contribution the sector has made – something concrete needs to emerge that can bring stability to the sector and the work it does. -------------------------------- SENScot, with the support of GSEN and Scotland Excel, is currently setting up a ‘collective purchasing’ pilot in Glasgow. The aim of the pilot is to test how much value for money can be achieved through buying in bulk through Scotland Excel’s frameworks which are usually reserved to the public sector only. Over the coming week, we will be finalising the names of Glasgow-based social enterprises who will be participating. If you would like to be involved or have any questions, please contact neil@p4p.org.uk . Alternatively you can fill in our questionnaire at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MM3D59L. Tuesday 15th December (11am) – Rural SEN Meeting – which will hear updates from a number of rurally-based social enterprises; feedback on the recent virtual learning exchanges; as well as a discussion around a first paper from the Rural SE Research Focus Group. To join in, contact ahiggins@inspiralba.org.uk Tuesday 22nd December – Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network will be holding an end of year networking event - to review what happened in 2020, and to begin exploring new opportunities in 2021 Wednesday 20th January 2021(10.30am) – a Joint Culture/Employability session on the theme – ‘Film, Media & Employability : an open conversation’. If you’re working in film and/or media and are already involved or are interested in employability. To participate in this informal discussion - email Jayne to book Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) Scotland was founded in June 2018 as part of WEAll Global – and is now considered the most established ‘national hub’ within WEAll Global. Its primary aim is to help build a wellbeing economy in Scotland. It is now seeking to recruit its first Director: EVOC has announced the appointment of its new CEO – Bridie Ashrowan. Bridie, currently CEO at Space & Broomhouse Hub, takes up post in March 2021, replacing Ella Simpson who retires after 12 years in post. Congratulations to Bridie - and best wishes, of course, to Ella in her retirement Community Land Scotland has commissioned this short survey to help identify the range and extent of previous and current initiatives involving community owners of land and built assets – and how these assets are being used to respond both to the Covid crisis as well as to climate emergency CRNS’ annual conference – A Fairer Scotland, A Greener World – ran over two mornings last month – and attracted over 130 delegates. A review of the conference in now available – see link above In October, SENScot wrote to Joe FitzPatrick MSP – raising concerns about the specific challenges being faced by Sport SEN members during the current pandemic. Last week, we received this response – which didn’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know InspirAlba and DYW Argyll are piloting the 'Involving Young People in Social Enterprise' project - to give young folk across Argyll and Bute the opportunity to volunteer with local social enterprises, and gain qualifications. See opportunities available with organisations across the region Back in the summer, we featured a story on the Spanish city of Toledo being appointed european capital of the social economy for 2020 – and the work being carried out in preparation for the launch of a European Action Plan for the Social Economy (2021-26). It is difficult to say, at this stage, how Brexit will impact on the existing (and extensive) collaborations social enterprises in Scotland have with colleagues in Europe – but it is likely to be significant. A reminder, last week, on how we may be missing out – with the Irish Govt announcing its signing of the Toledo Declaration on Social Enterprise. Acknowledging the critical role of social enterprise to Irish society in response to the Covid crisis, the Irish Govt sees the sector as a key partner in Ireland’s economic and social recovery – and believes european partnerships are a vital component. Over the last decade, Social Firms Scotland and Senscot – in our pre-merger days - were both active members of the EU Social Economy Transnational Network – we intend to make sure that our friendships and connections with European colleagues endure This week’s Guest Blog sees Jude Reid, SENScot’s Development Manager (Sport) follow up on her earlier Blog – with her theme, this time, being - Impact is not all about numbers. Jude again picks up on the findings of the 2019 Household Survey – with particular focus on how to engage with the 20% of the population that is ‘inactive’. To genuinely address this issue, Jude argues, will take considerable time and effort on the part of frontline sport social enterprises – not only to engage – but also, in the face of the many barriers that exist, to sustain this engagement. To do so effectively requires long term and sustained investment. |