Dear ,

As we highlighted last week, the Social Enterprise Census 2021 is now underway. This 4th Census follows those of 2015,2017 and 2019 and Social Value Lab is again conducting matters. To get things moving, they are asking if organisations could commit 15/20 minutes to completing this Survey  and help ensure that they are able to get as accurate a picture as possible of the Scottish social enterprise community in 2021. Your co-operation in this would be very much appreciated and can help influence future policy and funding decisions for our sector.  All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Last week, also saw the publication of OSCR’s Overview of the Charity Sector in Scotland 2021. With the previous three SE Censuses all indicating that around 70% of social enterprises in Scotland were also charities, this ‘annual overview’ may be of some interest to many readers. The report is stacked with data on a sector that is now made up of around 25,000 organisations and, with an annual turnover of £13bn and over 200,000 staff, is now of a similar size to the NHS in Scotland.

The Third Sector Net Zero Strategy will be the focus of the next Social Enterprise Cross Party Group (CPG) – taking place on Tuesday, 14th December at 6pm (see link to book). ‘Social Enterprise and the Climate Emergency’ will look at the role social enterprises can play in seeking to tackle this emergency. Recent examples of the work of frontline social enterprises in this area where highlighted over the last fortnight by Edinburgh Social Enterprise’s  Climate Action Fringe Events – and Glasgow SEN’s excellent video – BetheChange. In a similar vein, Zero Waste Scotland has also produced a series of case studies on ‘community-led climate action’ – again highlighting the work taking place in local communities – including a number of SEN members. It will be important to get these voices heard at December’s CPG.

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Circular Communities Scotland (CCS, formerly CRNS) has this week announced that it will be setting up and overseeing a nation-wide sharing library and repair café network. The project, supported by Scottish Govt and Zero Waste Scotland, will be working in partnership with Edinburgh Remakery and Edinburgh Tool Library who were both involved in developing the original proposal. Congratulations and best of luck to all those involved. Check out Dates for the Diary below – for info on next week’s CCS Conference.

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SENScot was very sad to learn of the passing of Paul Kelly, Manager of Sport SEN member, Partick Thistle Charitable Trust (PTCT). Aside from being an active member of SENScot’s work on sport, health and employability and known to many of our staff - our Director, Pauline Gordon, worked closely with Paul during her 7 years as chair of PTCT. Sincere condolences to Paul’s family and everyone connected with PTCT – this tribute speaks for itself.

Scottish Govt’s Investing in Communities Fund (ICF) is due to open for a second round of applications in Spring 2022. In advance of that, Scottish Govt’s Regeneration Unit will be holding two webinar sessions to provide an overview of the fund’s aims, eligibility criteria and the application process – for prospective applicants. The first takes place on Tuesday, 30th November (10.30am) – and the second on Wednesday, 8th December (2pm). See links for background on ICF and, if interested, to book your place:

DTA Scotland (DTAS) issued this circular last week to inform members and others that Louisa Macdonnell has stepped down as Chief Executive of the organisation. In the interim, Mark MacRitchie, currently Vice- Chair of DTAS and Chief Executive at Community Central Hall in Glasgow, will be working in the role on a part-time secondment basis. Mark will be supporting the staff team to provide strategic leadership and support during the interim period until a new appointment is made:

Reminder: Community Enterprise is carrying out this short online survey to try and get a better picture of what would be the right kind of support to offer via its digital-based support services. Your input can help shape its future delivery. Digital Support Officer, Jane Mackinnon, provides background etc via this blog -  ‘Driving Digital’:

The SEWF Youth Forum took place at the end of September – and involved over 3,000 young people from around 130 countries from across the globe. This informative report gives an overview of current social enterprise context – and the opportunities and challenges it is presenting as expressed by participants. Of particular interest are the ‘Polls’ (section 4) – which will strike a chord with many across our SE community in Scotland:

Cope Ltd is a well-established and award-winning social enterprise, committed to its social purpose of supporting people with learning disabilities or autism, by creating skills development and supported employment opportunities across its four business units in Shetland. They are now looking to recruit a new Chief Executive Officer. Closing date for applications is Tuesday, 30th November at 4pm:

With various SEN meetings scheduled over the coming weeks, we’ll be listing core details – dates, times, guest speakers etc – to keep people up to date with what’s on and when

Monday 22rd – Friday 26th November 2021 – Scotland’s Towns Partnership is holding its Annual Conference runs all through next week. See link above to register – also see Full Programme:

Tuesday 23rd November 2021 (10am) – Community Business – Making It Easy is an online workshop providing an introduction to how community ownership can help launch and grow successful businesses and bring about positive social change. The session is being jointly hosted by Community Shares Scotland, Co-operative Development Scotland and the Plunkett Foundation:

Thursday 25th November 2021 – Circular Communities Scotland Annual Conference 2021 takes place – with this year’s theme being ‘Embracing a Circular Future’. Speakers include Dr Heather Reid (aka Heather the Weather) and Graeme Obree, Scottish racing cyclist and inspirational speaker. Lorna Slater MSP and Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, will officially open the conference. See Full Programme and Registration Form:

Tuesday 30th November 2021 (1pm) – InspirAlba is hosting an event to mark the closure of the ViSENet Project. Sadly, on the back of the UK withdrawal from the EU, the Erasmus project is no longer open to Scottish organisations. The event will take place at the newly refurbished and community-owned Rockfield Centre in Oban. With a focus on ‘Bringing Communities Together’, the celebration will be blended, with in-person attendees in Oban and colleagues in other locations across Scotland and abroad joining the event virtually. If you’d like to join in, please email M.allaway@inspiralba.org.uk or phone 01700 501642:

Wednesday, 1st December and Monday 13th December 2021(both 2pm) – Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) has published new guidance for communities who are considering Community Right to Buy. With three legislative routes now open to communities, it can be difficult to know which is the right option to pursue and how to go about it. These webinars will provide an introduction to the new guidance: