From developing leadership through horses to restoring soils and increasing inclusion, three social enterprises are demonstrating how inventive business approaches can create lasting social and environmental value. Herd Dynamics CIC, Rhyze and Code Division are finalists in Firstport’s Social Innovation Challenge 2026.

Herd Dynamics CIC connects business leadership development with opportunities for young people facing significant barriers. Its equine-assisted learning approach puts working with horses at the heart of building stronger leaders, linking commercial activity with social benefit.
Rhyze is exploring how nutrient-rich worm castings can help restore Scotland’s degraded soils. Working alongside community growers, it will develop and test tailored soil improvements, aiming to make soil restoration affordable, practical and locally relevant.
Code Division tackles barriers to digital employment through accredited skills training delivered in learners’ native languages. Its approach recognises the potential within heritage-language, refugee and diaspora communities, creating more accessible routes into the digital economy.

Together, the finalists illustrate the value of social enterprise: combining enterprising ideas with a clear public purpose. Their proposed solutions rethink how existing resources can support greater inclusion, environmental resilience and economic opportunity.

The winner will be announced at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards next week on Wednesday 28 October, receiving £30,000 to bring its solution to life – while the two runners-up each secure funding to further develop their ideas.

For further information, please visit the Firstport website (linked for your convenience).