Dear ,

As most readers will be aware, SENScot has been part of the SE Intermediary Review process, with Scottish Govt seeking to fund a Single Enhanced National Intermediary to represent social enterprise in Scotland from 1 July 2022.  Our submission, as part of that process, was submitted by the deadline of 15th December 2021. Many members are now contacting us to ask what’s happening - and to provide an update.

We are disappointed to report that the outcome of the Review, which we were assured would be communicated to us by end January, has been subject to a series of delays. We understand that the independent panel, who were tasked with assessing the submissions, reached their conclusion in early February and that their decision has been communicated to Scottish Govt. We are naturally frustrated by these delays and concerned about the impact such uncertainty is having on all concerned – staff, members, board and the wider sector. We are now being told to expect a decision by 4th March - so we will continue to engage with Scottish Govt and press for early confirmation of a final decision to give everyone impacted by this process the degree of certainty that we all seek.

SENScot entered this process in good faith. We will continue in that vein but trust that a firm deadline for communicating the outcome is forthcoming in order that the Intermediary Review Process can finally conclude, and we can all move on and provide the focus and support to the whole social enterprise community at a critical time.

Yesterday, SENScot and SCVO jointly hosted a session on  Fair Work in Practice. The session attracted around 60 participants and was designed to learn about and share existing Fair Work practices already being implemented across our sector.  Specific contributions came from Caroline Christie (SCVO) and Bruce Gunn (Passion 4 Social), both talking through the Fair Work practices they have embraced as well as their future plans and aspirations. Jack Keays from Scottish Govt, also provided an update on Fair Work First, and the upcoming refresh of the Fair Work Action Plan. 

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Scottish Govt has announced that it is to support the development of a network of Community Climate Action Hubs across the country – with the goal of bringing a more strategic regional approach to climate change action - offering more effective support to communities in making the transition to low carbon and climate resilient living, and also to facilitate better networking. By way of an introduction to the Climate Action Hubs, Scottish Govt is hosting a series of regional meetings over the next month – starting next week in Fife. Readers will be aware the SENScot – with a number of third sector partners – helped develop the sector’s own Net Zero Strategy in November 2020.

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Also announced this week by Scottish Govt, is a new £80 million Covid Economic Recovery Fund, targeting support for businesses and communities across Scotland as we move to a new phase in terms of the pandemic. Monies will be channelled through local authorities – who will have the flexibility of either using the funds for existing schemes or developing new place-based investment programmes.

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For some folk, definitions around social enterprise or the social economy, is important in seeking to maintain the core values and behaviours on which the sector was founded. For others, it is often seen as a distraction from the day-to-day business of increasing ‘social impact’. For many years, social enterprises across the UK would look to the definitions from the UK Govt (2002) or the EU (2011). In Scotland, for the majority of our sector, the SE Code (2012) emerged as our primary benchmark. Last week, it emerged that the EU agreed to develop a common definition of the social economy as part of its recently published Social Economy Action Plan. In doing so, they say they will take into account and respect “the diversity of national traditions in the area of social economy”.

Congratulations to Buth Bharraigh on managing to secure their premises (and a permanent base) via a community asset transfer (CAT) from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council). Having started the CAT process in 2019 – and being turned down on two occasions – it’s great that their perseverance has now paid off. Buth Bharraigh was supported throughout this journey by COSS. See full Press Release:

The impact of the pandemic has been difficult for everyone and social enterprises are no different. So, it is sad to hear that the Eco Larder, near Haymarket Station in Edinburgh, is to close its doors for good this weekend. On a more upbeat note, their Stockbridge store will remain open:

Reminder: Scottish Govt’s Analytical Exchange Programme is now inviting bids from third sector organisations for short, sharp projects (anything from an afternoon up to 10 person days) where statistical or analytical skills could make a difference to your organisation. If interested, Application Forms have to be submitted by email to chiefstatistician@gov.scot by Friday 4^th March 2022

The February edition of the SE and Employability Newsletter is now available – and includes the usual raft of information for and from SEN members – as well as a series of up-and-coming events of interest to social enterprises active in the area of employability:

SCOREscotland (Strengthening Communities for Race Equality Scotland) is a third sector organisation serving the black and minority ethnic communities in the West of Edinburgh, based in Wester Hailes.  The organisation strives to eliminate racism in our society by working (ideally with partners) for and with those who are affected by racial discrimination. SCOREscotland is no0w looking to recruit a Manager to develop, manage and deliver its services. Closing date is Monday 28^th February at 12 noon:

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

Tuesday, 1^st March 2022 (2pm) – Communities Leading Collectively – is a session, hosted by the Rural SE Hub, that will focus on the theme of collective leadership from a community-led perspective - delving into how collective leadership can be used within communities to inspire collaboration and creativity. See link to register:

Thursday, 3^rd March 2022 (11am) - Communities Taking a Lead in Tourism is a Community Learning Exchange being hosted by the Rural SE Hub. The event will explore the topic of community-led tourism in rural Scotland – and will hear about two rural communities who have been affected by changes in tourism:

Wednesday, 9^th March 2022 (1pm) - SENScot is hosting a virtual Community Learning Exchange (CLE) in partnership with Environmental Health CIC. This CLE will provide participants with insights on how community focused Mental Health First Aid can support a collaborative approach to identifying and addressing mental health issues within local communities. See link above for more details and to register:

Wednesday, 16^th March (10.30am) -  SEN Session: Social Enterprise: Sustainably tackling poverty through employability.  Speakers include: The Poverty Alliance on context and policy landscape of poverty in Scotland; the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on research relating to poverty through an employability lens; and FARE Scotland on how they create pathways into employment, providing industry-led training and work experience for people who experience poverty.  See link above to register – or contact Jayne for more info:

Thursday, 31^st March 2022 (10.30am) – A SEN Session for SE Counselling Service Providers. With SEN members reporting a continuing increase in demand for counselling services, this session will provide another opportunity for social enterprises to come together to share their thoughts on what opportunities and challenges this is currently posing and how they are responding. For more info’, email mary@senscot.net:

Thursday, 7^th April 2022 (2pm) - Health SEN Meeting - an informal session to connect with other social enterprises who have a health & wellbeing focus, discuss common issues, and relevant policy areas/developments and share your successes. See link to register: