A forward diary note for 29th September is the Auchindrain Trust’s hosting of a free workshop by Social Investment Scotland for local third sector organisations.
Social Investment Scotland [SIS] is a leading lender to the third sector and the workshop is described as ‘a free investment readiness workshop’ aimed at local charities, community businesses and social enterprises.
The workshop will run from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Monday 29th September 2014 at Auchindrain Farm Township, between Inveraray and Furnace.
The session will provide social entrepreneurs and third sector leaders with an opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities of taking on social investment. The workshop gives attendees the opportunity to overcome real or perceived barriers relating to moving away from grant dependency to a mix of financial income.
SIS will be delivering the workshop in partnership with the Argyll & Bute Social Enterprise Network [ABSEN]. The event is part of SIS’ wider investment readiness programme aimed at connecting more capital with communities, stimulated by the United Kingdom Government’s introduction of tax breaks for private investors in order to incentivise investment in social enterprises.
The programme is being supported by European Union funds awarded to SIS to grow the demand of the social enterprise finance market as part of the EU’s ambitious socio-economic strategy, Europe 2020.
Since its creation in 2001, SIS has invested in a number of organisations in Argyll & Bute including providing £853,500 to community charity Here We Are at Cairndow, for their ambitious Merk Hydro Scheme, which aims to generate power, expand logging and chipping plants and boost local employment.
Alastair Davis, Chief Executive of Social Investment Scotland, says: ‘Applying for financial investment can be a daunting step for organisations not familiar with financial jargon and processes but taking that step can be hugely beneficial for both the business and the community it serves.
‘This workshop is one of several ways in which SIS aims to help organisations prepare for this step and to get into the best possible position to attract and secure that investment.’
Bill Stewart, Development Manager at ABSEN, says: ‘This workshop is a very practical opportunity for our member organisations to fully explore what it would be like to use social investment – the implications, opportunities and challenges – and hear from investment experts about the options available and about other organisations which have succeeded as a result of taking that leap. We believe there are many organisations in the region which could benefit from this type of investment and we are encouraging them to take advantage of the workshop.’
Organisations wishing to get involved in this session should contact Andrew Millson by email: andrew@socialinvestmentscotland.com
