The Scottish Government's Purpose is to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth. An enterprising third sector has a key role to play in achieving this goal.
The Scottish Government has invested £12 million in the Third Sector Enterprise Fund to help the third sector to contribute towards Scotland's success. The Fund aims to help established third sector organisations to become more sustainable and increase their capacity and capability.
We expect organisations who apply to the Third Sector Enterprise Fund to be at an earlier stage of enterprise development than applicants to the Scottish Investment Fund. The fund offers awards of between £25,000 to £100,000 to third sector organisations who can demonstrate how they intend to make transformational step changes to their capacity, capability and sustainability.
We have set aside £250,000 of the £12 million specifically for Credit Unions. The Credit Union Fund will offer established Scottish Credit Unions between £2,500 and £25,000 to build their capacity, capability and financial sustainability. Credit Unions can also apply to the Enterprise Fund where the level of funding being ask for is more than £25,000.
We expect to make the majority of awards from both funds throughout 2009. However all funding must be claimed in full before 31 March 2011.
The application process for both funds is the same; you can access further information and guidance through the following documents:
You should find all the information you need about the funds and how to apply in these documents.
Awareness Sessions about how to apply for the funds will be held in:
Edinburgh - 7 July 2009
Glasgow - 14 July 2009
Dundee - 8 September 2009
Please contact FirstPort for further details on info@firstport.org.uk
For more information regarding the Third Sector Enterprise Fundemail the Enterprise Fund Administrator or contact the relevant team member for your area :
- Grampian, Highlands & Islands (including Argyll): Joanne Newton 01224 332 979.
- Rest of Scotland: Glen Buchanan 0141 305 4160; Mary Lyden 0141 305 4176; or Carol Kirk 0141 305 4132.
For more information regarding the Third Sector Credit Union Fundemail the Enterprise Fund Administrator or contact: Guthrie Handley 0141 305 4172 or Margaret Smith 0131 244 0460.