Just Enterprise
Helping Scotland’s Social Enterprise Sector Thrive
What is Just Enterprise?
Just Enterprise is the go-to source of support for social enterprises and enterprising third sector organisations in Scotland.
Funded by the Scottish Government, we deliver specialist support to anyone looking to start, strengthen or grow their social enterprise.
We do this through bespoke one-to-one support, interactive workshops or e-learning courses covering a variety of essential topics and even a range of leadership programmes and coaching.
Just Enterprise business advisers are drawn from a dozen different third sector partners with a diverse range of experience and specialisms, so they fully understand the challenges and opportunities which come from balancing social impact with income generation.
Our impact
Since our inception in 2011, Just Enterprise has supported over 11,000 individuals and 8,000 organisations across all local authorities in Scotland, from urban social enterprises to rural community projects.
In real terms, this means that participating organisations have been helped to increase turnover by, on average, £50,000 and create two new full-time jobs – that’s some impact!
An evolving programme
The social enterprise sector in Scotland has seen big changes and big challenges over the past decade and our programme continues to evolve to make sure that we provide the most relevant support to help the sector address these challenges.
This latest iteration of the programme has been further expanded to cover key areas of the Scottish Government’s Social Enterprise Action Plan, including crucial guidance on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Net Zero.
We are also committed to making this the most inclusive iteration of the programme to date, with increased targeted support for those facing additional barriers due to ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality or socio-economic factors.
Our long-term partner CEMVO Scotland leads our business support service for ethnic minority-led organisations. Their advisers have extensive business and social enterprise backgrounds combined with experience of developing solutions which meet the unique needs and aspirations of these groups.
All Just Enterprise advisers undertake regular EDI training including disability and neurodiversity awareness workshops and we strive to ensure that all our communications adhere to the highest accessibility standards.
For clients on a similar mission to improve their own awareness of and support for EDI, we run regular workshops focusing on a range of relevant issues and featuring guest speakers with lived experience.
We are also seeing a growing demand for support with Net Zero initiatives. 2023 saw us launch a series of five webinars in partnership with Growing Climate Confidence and more learning opportunities are being developed for 2024 and beyond.
All of our business advisers have undertaken training that allows them to signpost clients to further Net Zero support relevant to where they are on their carbon reduction journey.
Here to support you at every stage
In summary, the Just Enterprise programme has the breadth and experience to help you to start, develop and grow your organisation to allow you to reach your social or environmental goals.
Find out more and register for support now at https://justenterprise.org/.
