We’re counting down until Falkirk Funders Fayre 2025 by looking at some of this year’s stallholders – this week, we’re focusing on those with support designed specifically for social enterprises.
Social enterprises occupy a unique, and necessary, place within the third sector. Enterprises working across Falkirk District contribute vital services and income for our local communities, and the area would look very different without them. Given their unique position, they often require very specific support and funding.
For 2025, we’re delighted to be bringing back our friends at Firstport and Social Investment Scotland, and to welcome for the first time The Melting Pot!
The “first port of call for social entrepreneurs”, and one of the best places for you to start your journey into business.
Like the businesses they support, Firstport is a charity and social enterprise. For over 16 years, they have been helping budding social entrepreneurs make their ideas happen, and have grown and developed their service offer to include:
- grant funding
- business advice
- investment-readiness support
- social investment products
Relationships, mentoring, and encouragement are the pillars of their support, and they are committed to responding to the needs of Scotland’s social entrepreneurs.
“Our vision is a society in which doing business is synonymous with doing good.
We think social enterprises can play a leading role in a transition towards a Wellbeing Economy – an economy that is fairer, more sustainable and designed to serve people and planet, not the other way around. The work we do is important, and our vision reflects that. …
Today’s social entrepreneurs are blazing a trail for all business in the future. We are on a mission to remove barriers and support those who aspire to follow on their steps.
All you need to get started is an idea to make things better and the determination to make it happen. We’ll help you work out the rest.“
Social Investment Scotland’s (SIS) motto is “Let’s do good, together.” Like Firstport, they are also a social enterprise and charity, offering loan funding and business support for social enterprises, charities and community groups.
Their mission is to connect capital with communities to make a real, measurable and sustainable impact upon people’s lives, supported by their vision for an Impact Economy: when social entrepreneurs, businesses, consumers, investors, and government are aligned and focused on delivering impactful actions and meaningful outcomes.
They have a number of programmes and tailored support packages for social enterprises, including:
- SIS Community Finance Loans (tailored loans ranging £25,001 – £375,000, with the flexibility to consider smaller amounts based on specific requirements)
- SIS Bridging Loans
- Scottish Social Growth Fund (a £13 million partnership between Scottish Government, SIS, Better Society Capital, and The University of Edinburgh, providing loans of£100,000 -£1 million)
- Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) (designed to support access to finance for UK small businesses as they look to invest and grow)
They also help provide access to funding, including through Community Development Finance Initiatives (CDFIs), where SIS acts as a fund manager, mobilising and deploying funds into other responsible finance providers who, in turn, offer finance to enterprises and individuals who are unable to secure them from mainstream financial lenders.
The SIS Investment Readiness Tool (linked for your convenience) helps both their team and the people they support understand the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation, an essential step towards accessing social investment, while their FAQ Guide to Social Investment covers many of the main questions people have about their work and support.
The Melting Pot is Scotland’s Centre for Social Innovation: “An inspiring community of people striving to make the world a better place.” They work to support and stimulate social innovation in Scotland across 3 business strands :
- “A place to meet, work and collaborate. The Melting Pot is your go-to destination for flexible, creative and budget-friendly solutions for today’s dynamic world of work. Our central Edinburgh coworking hub offers a warm and inviting workspace away from home, whilst our meeting rooms provide a convenient venue for upcoming events. Most importantly, here you can find our friendly, engaged community of individuals and organisations doing good for people and the planet.
- A champion of Good Ideas. Our incubator programme equips budding social entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and networks to turn ideas into positive, impactful ventures.
- A connector and exchanger of knowledge. We share our expertise with other organisations to develop thriving places with purpose, and we host inspiring events to educate, connect and inspire.”
For further information on support from any of these organisations, book your place to come see them at Falkirk Funders Fayre on Tuesday 11 March, 10am – 4pm at the Dobbie Hall in Larbert!
Falkirk Funders Fayre
The event is designed to give third sector, charity and voluntary groups and organisations and social enterprises the opportunity to meet with a range of diverse funders to learn about the grant funding schemes that are available.
Book your FREE place via Eventbrite, or contact us by phone: 01324 692000, or email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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