Latest News and Blogs
Falkirk Dragons' Den competition in the news
23 November 2022
Pupils from Falkirk district schools pitched social enterprise ideas to a panel in the Social Enterprise Schools Dragons' Den competition
Social Enterprise Schools spotlight: The KitKat Coding Club
22 November 2022
The story behind how Larbert High School’s KitKat Coding Club came to be, as well as Daniel's first-hand experience of the Social Enterprise schools Dragons’ Den competition. Written by Daniel Montgomery (12) S1.
Social Enterprise Day 2022
#WhoKnew that since April 2022 we have supported more than 374 changemakers in Scotland to create ripples of positive change in their organisations and communities! Today we're shouting out to inspiring social enterprises that have been driven by passion and purpose.
Women's Leadership Academy launched for women in Dundee
2 November 2022
We’re delighted to welcome 16 learners to Women’s Leadership Academy, a new programme delivered in partnership with Women’s Business Station.
Glencoe Museum talk retail and sustainability
22 August 2022
We invited Catriona, curator at Glencoe Folk Museum, to talk to us about the journey they have been on with the Steps to Sustainability programme.
Arctic Connections Fund: Successful Projects 2022 to 2023
11 August 2022
We’re really excited to receive funding from the Scottish Government's Arctic Connections Fund. Our goal is to create a space for leaders to connect and share their stories and expertise in rural arctic leadership on a range of topics, including environmental stewardship.
New Leadership Programme Launched For New Scots
10 August 2022
Following the success of 2021/2022’s New Scots Leadership Programme, Scottish Refugee Council and Social Enterprise Academy are developing a second programme for a new cohort of New Scots.
Heritage Support Programme Returns For Third Year
3 August 2022
The Steps to Sustainability programme, delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy, will see 30 heritage organisations receive support to strengthen their strategic leadership and income-generating skills.
‘Lighting A Spark’ To Share Inspiring Ideas About Scottish Land Use
27 July 2022
Communities across Scotland will be invited to share thoughts and ideas on how local land is used e.g. in terms of food production, recreation, climate change mitigation and nature enhancement and protection.
Social Enterprise Schools Awards 2022!
29 June 2022
Hear from the teachers, young people and organisations that attended our special 15th anniversary SEA Awards and get a glimpse of the marketplace and ceremony.
Local Residents Get Say On Future Of Tourism In Their Area
21 June 2022
Imagining New Futures Together is a National Lottery backed programme, which organisers say will help communities feel empowered to shape the future of their area.
'Happy to Chat' benches bring people together and help improve mental health and wellbeing
18 June 2022
Benches across the Easter Ross Peninsula are inviting people to chat to break down the barriers of social isolation. Rachel Cunningham, marketing officer at Tain and District Development Trust, saw the idea when she took part in the Communities Leading in Tourism course with Social Enterprise Academy.
Scottish Social Enterprise Schools programme powers up south of Border
8 June 2022
Social Enterprise Schools, a Scottish-based programme that empowers young people to set up “socially conscious” businesses, is expanding its programme south of the Border.
New Scots leaders graduate our leadership programme!
6 June 2022
"It was so inspiring to have so many like-minded people celebrating together in a room and sharing ideas on community engagement, leadership and social enterprise. Many in the group have already seen successes as a result of taking part in the course."
Schools take on Big Issue sell-off challenge!
20 May 2022
“Big Issue for sale!” rang out loud and clear on playgrounds across Scotland as pupils stepped up to the challenge of becoming Big Issue sellers to raise money for their school social enterprises.
The next generation shaping a better world
19 May 2022
The Big Issue Schools Special 2022 partly focuses on the global connection we are building, bringing young social entrepreneurs from around the world closer together through online 'Global Meet-ups'.
Schools Special 2022: St Bernard's & St Denis' schools spotlight
Find out more about the incredible social enterprises being run by St Bernard's and St Denis' primary schools.
The Scotsman features Big Issue Schools Special release
The Scotsman has included a feature column on the release of the Big Issue Schools Special magazine. This is the 4th time we have worked with The Big Issue to produce the edition.
The Big Issue: Schools Special 2022 released
We have partnered with The Big Issue for the 4th Schools Special edition of the magazine - focusing on how young people are running social enterprises that solve issues that matter to them.
Thank you to the Scottish Government, Kibble, Link Group Ltd., Project Trust, Social Enterprise Scotland & FirstPort for supporting this year's Schools issue.
Behind The Scenes at Atlantis
28 April 2022
Representatives from Atlantis Leisure, Hope to Oban, Healthy Options, Oban Phoenix Cinema and Mallaig Pool and Leisure Centre are all smiles having completed the Social Enterprise Academy Leadership Training Course.
Speyside groups back new tourism body SCOTO as it calls on visitors to make “conscious choice” to support Scotland’s local communities
25 April 2022
The Social Enterprise Academy are delighted to be part of SCOTO's journey through the HIE & SOSE Communities Leading in Tourism programme.
New Scots leadership programme a huge success!
11 April 2022
“It is more important now than ever before to harness and invest in the goodwill and talents of our refugee leaders to change outcomes for others seeking sanctuary.”
Tackling the Climate Crisis through Social Enterprise
How can social enterprises help enable young people to bring about positive climate action?
Social Enterprise in the Highlands and Islands
Learn more about Social Enterprise Scools' work within the highlands & islands
Access online support on our Learning Platform
An introduction to our learning platform and how to use it in the context of Social Enterprise Schools.
Ambitious Highland – My Future, My Success
24 February 2022
“This ambitious plan will help to empower our young people to make the right decisions at the right time for their future."...
Why we should practice self-care as leaders
Anne Houston, SEA Facilitator, shares some tips on using self-care as a way to develop ourselves as leaders. This blog was written ahead of the ACEVO "Authentic Leadership: modelling self-awareness and self-care" programme which will be delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy.
New partnership to support enterprising communities in the south of Scotland
25 January 2022
A new series of leadership programmes and third sector-specific webinars will support community organisations in the south of Scotland to develop their leadership and governance skills...
Creating the next generation of global changemakers
3 January 2022
Equipping young people with the skills and mind-sets needed to become job creators not only job seekers, is an essential component of Scotland’s economic recovery...
Tourism projects launched as part of £25 million Scottish Tourism Recovery Programme
30 November 2021
10 innovative projects, including Communities Leading in Tourism, have been made possible thanks to the Scottish Government’s £25 million tourism recovery programme.
How can effective leadership help tackle the climate emergency?
18 November 2021
SEA Facilitator and social entrepreneur, Rachael Millson, reflects on the role leadership plays in the climate change crisis and the steps we can all take as leaders to become more interconnected and practice compassion in action.
New partnership to boost opportunities for refugees
21 September 2021
The Social Enterprise Academy and Scottish Refugee Council have announced a new initiative. A new partnership is set to boost opportunities for refugees in Scotland...
Scottish Tourism Leadership Programme Launched
19 July 2021
A Scotland wide programme to support business and community-led tourism enterprises taking the lead in the sector’s COVID-19 recovery is being launched today.
60 ‘enterprising’ UK heritage organisations to receive support via Steps to Sustainability programme
28 May 2021
Steps to Sustainability is open to applications, with UK heritage organisations being offered support with strategic leadership and income-generating skills.
Scotland's Social Businesses Reopen
As Scotland begins to reopen after an incredibly tough year, we welcome back many of the inspiring businesses that are addressing Scotland’s social and environmental issues.
How the British Council is investing in the next generation of changemakers
30 April 2021
As a supporter of this year's The Big Issue: Schools Special, the British Council is investing in the next generation of changemakers through its Social Enterprise in Schools programme.
Special edition of Big Issue as vendors return to the streets
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27 April 2021
A special schools edition of The Big Issue has been created to mark the return of the magazine’s vendors across Scotland for the first time after 24 weeks of lockdown. The new edition looks at ways that young people have contributed to their communities during the pandemic.
Changeworks and Social Enterprise Academy partner to deliver green opportunities for young people
22 April 2021
Changeworks and the Social Enterprise Academy are forming a brand new partnership that will support young people to fulfill their potential in the environmental sector.
New climate change programme launches for young people in Scotland & Malaysia
19 April 2021
British Council, Social Enterprise Academy and University of the Highlands & Islands are looking for young people in Malaysia and Scotland aged 18-35 to take part in a new programme tackling climate change.
Bootcamp Resources: Storytelling
The Social Enterprise Scotland Bootcamp Resources offer practical marketing tips for social enterprises. In session one, the Social Enterprise Academy and Firstport share practical tips on how to develop a distinct brand voice, look and feel, and nail your social enterprise elevator pitch.
How a 'no regrets' skillset can arm social entrepreneurs for an uncertain future
31 March 2021
Half the world’s employees will need to be retrained by 2025. Our new 7-part series with Pioneers Post and Emerald Works aims to support social entrepreneurs around the world to build a ‘no-regrets’ skillset – skills that will be useful no matter how their role, organisation or environment changes.
Climate change grants for UK-Malaysia partnerships
21 February 2021
Three UK-Malaysia climate change projects have received support from British Council. The “Visioning the Future & StoryTelling for Climate Change” project aims to help Malaysian and Scottish youth sharpen their storytelling skills to activate their plans and goals for climate change.
International Women's Day 2021
For International Women's Day 2021, YWCA Scotland - The Young Women’s Movement shares how they #ChooseToChallenge gender inequality.
Start-up School Case Study: Cory Jones, WASaBED
Cory Jones is the Founder of WAsaBED, a social enterprise that aims to be at the heart of the circular economy by recycling retired bed linen into useful products. From creating job opportunities to reducing pollution, it is great to see the impact of social businesses across the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Start-up School Case Study: Cara Cameron, Lochview Rural Training
How could 1-1 coaching, networking sessions and webinars help you develop your social enterprise? Cara Cameron shares her new community-focused business which helps people come together to learn a variety of rural and employability skills, and how the Start-up School has provided valuable business support.
A full moon reflects on the ink blue water
David Bryan, SEA Highlands & Islands Hub Manager, shares insights into the future of tourism, with communities and social enterprises taking the lead.
Social Enterprise Day 2020
#WhoKnew that since April 2020 we have supported more than 755 learners create change in their organisations and communities! Our Scotland team is shouting out to inspiring social enterprises who have shown resilience and created an amazing positive impact.
Local communities aim to be leaders in Scottish tourism
November 2020
Sixteen community group representatives from Shetland to Galloway will be expanding their horizons digitally this weekend as they look at the future of Scottish tourism.
Sport Social Enterprises – part of the solution, not part of the problem
David Bryan, SEA Highlands & Islands Hub Manager, reflects on how the disruption created by the Covid pandemic provides an opportunity to rethink society. A society in which everyone can be supported to have good health outcomes, to experience great health, to feel part of a community which values them.
Enterprise support programme to help 60 UK heritage organisations build sustainable futures
20 October 2020
A new Social Enterprise Academy initiative backed by National Lottery Heritage Fund will offer 60 UK heritage organisations support with strategic leadership and income-generating skills as a way to safeguard their futures.
Funding to support communities re-imagine a future
1 October 2020
The Academy has been awarded National Lottery funding to deliver Visioning Rural Communities, an innovative programme that invites learners to dream of a renewed society.
How are you? (really)
Sally Robertson is an associate facilitator with the Social Enterprise Academy. Here, she shares three tips she has learnt to have more meaningful conversations with colleagues during these uncertain times.
Students as Change Agents Programme
Learning programme supports students to tackle sustainable tourism and youth homelessness in Edinburgh.
Rural communities offered tourism expertise to support local recovery
4 July 2020
A new programme has been launched with the aim of helping community development organisations and social enterprises support the recovery of rural Scotland’s tourism sector.
Welcome to the Future: Big Issue 2020
This years Social Enterprise Academy and Big Issue collaboration, celebrating the work young people are doing across Scotland. Happy reading everyone!
Lockdown, learning, and leaving no young person behind
Our Head of Education, Emily Mnyayi, shares the importance of focusing on lifelong, rather than linear, learning during lockdown and beyond to support young people in Scotland to reach their full potential.
2020: Time for structural change and racial equity
23 June 2020
As leaders, we have a responsibility to engage in honest dialogue about how to dismantle structural racism and address issues of discrimination and inequality within our own organisations and beyond.
SEA & Emerald Works partner to support social change leaders
28 May 2020
This partnership will give Social Enterprise Academy learners free access to Emerald Work's award-winning Mind Tools toolkit, helping them to put learning into practice and develop the key skills needed to thrive in a post-COVID world.
Inner Gold. Blog 9: Possibility
How could being bold & brave expand your world of possibility?
In Karen's final 'Inner Gold' blog she shares how we can overcome the limitations of our mind to make surprising things possible.
Inner Gold. Blog 8: Transformation
In busy lives in a busy world, how do we allow ourselves time and space to experience transformation?
Join us for this weeks 'Inner Gold' blog as Karen takes us on a virtual adventure through the Atlantic Coast, exploring some of the key ingredients for transformation.
SEA featured as one of top 100 social enterprises in UK
14 May 2020
We're excited to announce that the Social Enterprise Academy is featured as one of the top 100 social enterprises in UK in the NatWest SE100 2020! You can read the full list of social enterprises in this year's list below.
What Critical Qualities Do Leaders Need in this VUCA World?
COVID-19 definitely meets the definition of a VUCA environment; Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous.
How does the VUCA leadership model (developed originally by the US Army in response to the Gulf War) offer insights on what we need to draw on as people and as leaders in this current crisis?
Inner Gold. Blog 7: Joy
In this week's Inner Gold blog, Karen takes a look at the definition of joy.
Reflecting on her travels around the world, she notices that in simplicity lies inner gold. Read this week's blog to learn the difference between happiness and joy, and through doing so, connect with some of your 'inner gold'.
Inner Gold. Blog 6: Love
Love: a vital force, a component of every facet and corner of life, something we all desire but rarely give to ourselves...
In this inspirational blog, Karen shares some reflections on self-love and loving others.
Inner Gold. Blog 5: Gratitude
Karen's fifth blog explores how the practice of gratitude is a powerful ingredient for transforming our mental wellbeing and our positive experience of life. Learn how you can connect with some of your 'Inner Gold' through simply feeling grateful each day.
A coaching response to Covid-19
23 April 2020
David Bryan reflects on the power of re-establishing relationships and how coaching can help build the long-term resilience of Scotland’s third sector.
Learn, Un-Learn, Re-Learn
This importance of learning and adaptability could not be truer right now. As we try to navigate through uncertainty and upheaval, life is offering us the perfect classroom, with so many opportunities to innovate, learn and grow on a daily basis – both individually and as organisations.
Over the past month, the Academy has been on its own learning, un-learning and re-learning journey…
Inner Gold. Blog 4: Freedom
Freedom is a word more pertinent now than perhaps ever in our lifetimes. With the lockdown that Covid-19 has brought to the world, most of us have either limited or no freedom to enjoy being outside. We notice the absence of things we all too often take for granted, as well as appreciating some things that we don’t normally have time to notice.
We all have different ideas of what freedom means…
Inner Gold. Blog 3: Vulnerability & Superpowers…
A mind and soul supporting blog series to help us transcend difficult stuff, and connect us with some of the ‘inner gold’ we all have inside.
Karen's third blog explores how we can use vulnerability to learn, adapt or develop resilience and come back stronger than before. Read the blog for a few simple strategies that may help…
How do you respond in a crisis?
David Bryan, Social Enterprise Academy's Highlands & Islands Hub Manager, takes a look at The Change Curve, a very useful tool when managing individual or team change. Knowing where an individual is on the curve can help when deciding on what type of support someone needs and when they are ready to take on new challenges.
Inner Gold. Blog 2: WIBA’s & Beliefs…
A mind and soul supporting blog series to help us transcend difficult stuff, and connect us with some of the ‘inner gold’ we all have inside.
The second blog in Karen's 'Inner Gold' blog series explores how creating a positive 'Wouldn't It Be Amazing' (WIBA) can help generate incredible focus, momentum, action and learning.
Inner Gold. Blog 1: To be an explorer…
A mind and soul supporting blog series to help us transcend difficult stuff, and connect us with some of the ‘inner gold’ we all have inside.
Karen's first blog shares what it means to be an explorer today and some key ingredients needed to understand how we can change and influence our reality and our world from within.
Tourism workshops getting under way in Thurso
6 March 2020
A SERIES of tourism information workshops will be delivered in Thurso during March. The events are being run by Thurso Community Development Trust with subject areas ranging from slow tourism to information sharing.
SEA Q&A with...Rona MacKay from Community Energy Scotland
How can we empower more women to take on leadership roles? We caught up with Rona, Chair of Benbecula Community Council and Head of Operations & Governance at Community Energy Scotland.
Courageous Conversations for Women in the Highlands
We’re supporting WEA’s Women in the Highlands project, who are enabling their members in the Inverness area to get involved in their own communities. Our Courageous Conversations programme inspired by the empowerment of women in rural areas offers a safe and supportive space to take strength from one another.
The Perfect Balance: a film about Rwandan Fair Trade coffee
28 February 2020
The Perfect Balance: Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations kick off with the premiere of new film highlighting links between coffee farmers in Rwanda and coffee-drinkers in Scotland.
Hopes encouraging collaboration in Moray will help region reach potential
25 February 2020
Charity TSI Moray is preparing to host its annual conference with the aim of pulling groups together to help realise the region’s potential.
Communities Leading in Tourism
Tourism is changing. Across the world visitors are looking to take time to really understand a place, its culture, local food, folktales, music, how people there make sense of the world. Communities are at the heart of this, designing and realising the sort of tourism they want to happen locally.
Accreditation Q&A
Our Accreditation Manager, Gail English, answers some of the commonly asked questions about gaining accreditation and the benefits of taking part in an accredited programme.
Unleash the Power of Others
Evidence shows that taking a coaching approach can help create proactive and confident individuals. People who are more motivated, engaged and productive. And you don’t need to be a qualified coach to adopt this approach in your leadership.
Sector Representation on Social Enterprise Boards
Graham Bell OBE, former Chair of the Social Enterprise Academy board, reflects on his 12 years as a trustee and his hopes for the future of social enterprise boards in Scotland.
Release of Social Enterprise in Scotland: Census 2019
4 September 2019
Aileen Campbell, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, announced the Census’s key findings this morning at the annual Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS) Policy and Practice Conference in Glasgow.
Social enterprise hub launched in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
19 July 2019
The Community Partnership based in Balloch has launched a new social enterprise hub in partnership with the Social Enterprise Academy, with its first Growing Enterprising Communities event taking place on 28 August 2019.
#IYIL2019: Connecting language, culture and social enterprise
As part of the International Year of Indigenous Languages, David Bryan reflects on the role that social enterprise can play in promoting indigenous langages and cultures, while increasing their economic development.
Social Enterprise in Education Awards 2019
Forty schools received a Social Enterprise in Education Award from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP to recognise the success and sustainability of their social enterprises.
Highlands & Islands Social Enterprise in Education Awards 2019
This year, innovative young people across Scotland have been setting up businesses to tackle the social and environmental issues that matter to them. 21 schools from the Highlands and Islands have received a national award to recognise the success and sustainability of their social enterprises.
Just Enterprise: Third sector partnership wins £5m contract
27 May 2019
Scotland’s social enterprises are set for a £5m fillip from the Scottish Government to help social firms boost their presence. The cash will be administered by the Just Enterprise consortium, including CEIS, the Social Enterprise Academy, Firstport and Impact Hub Inverness.
We are the Future: Big Issue Schools Edition
Read all about some of the brilliant social enterprises in schools across Scotland
SEA Q&A with...Wendy Fleming from Financial WorX
What is it like to take time out and develop your leadership practice? We caught up with social entrepreneur Wendy Fleming to find out.
Pupils become Big Issue vendors for the day in a special edition sell-off
19 March 2019
Pupils in Scotland today turned into enterprising Big Issue vendors as they took part in a sell off of a special edition of the magazine that they helped create. Five pupils from Mary Russell School in Paisley became Big Issue vendors and tried their hand at selling the magazine at Renfrewshire House.
Teaching social enterprise: Scotland leads the way
19 March 2019
Should social enterprise be on every school curriculum? It will be in Scotland by 2028. We find out what pupils and teachers think about a groundbreaking programme led by the Social Enterprise Academy and the Scottish Government.
School pupils to help sell special edition of The Big Issue
18 March 2019
Scottish schoolchildren have helped create a special edition of The Big Issue and will this week help sell the magazine as street vendors. Fifteen pupils visited the editorial headquarters on Glasgow’s Bath Street to help create the issue and a social enterprise-inspired supplement.
School pupils create and sell a very special edition of The Big Issue
Pupils at 14 schools across Scotland will be selling the special edition this week after we partnered with The Big Issue to give young people a platform to raise awareness of the big issues they care about
New Scotland-Canada partnership to support social enterprise
9 February 2019
An international agreement to grow and sustain social enterprises in Scotland and Canada has been announced by Nicola Sturgeon on a visit to Toronto.
Education Winter Newsletter 2018
Get a copy of our latest Social Enterprise in Education Newsletter, read on to find out how to enter our Big Issue competition and how schools got on in the Social Enterprise World Forum.
How can we be more kind as leaders?
Research shows that just one random act of kindness each day can make a significant difference to our ability to deal with challenges at work. How can you re-capture the art of kindness today?
A cuppa, cake & kindness: Bargarran Primary’s community café
Our education coordinator James went to visit Bargarran Primary to find out how they are connecting their community through social enterprise.
Forget Nessie, local schools are selling goodies at Urquhart Castle
3 November 2018
This is the outcome of the ‘Meet the Buyer’ project launched by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Social Enterprise Academy to inspire young entrepreneurs as part of the Year of Young People 2018.
Pioneering business support group reaches out to world
24 October 2018
IT was founded in Scotland 14 years ago and has since helped almost 3,000 social enterprises to reach their full potential. Now, a pioneering organisation set up to support not-for-profit businesses north of the border is to roll out a franchise into more countries worldwide.
SEWF 2018: Scotland’s young people make a lasting impact
Opening the Social Enterprise World Forum, St Alberts Primary, Glasgow and Broughton High School, Edinburgh showed exactly why Scotland should be proud of its young people.
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