ENTREPRENEURS in pursuit of positive social change can now apply for a scheme offering a year of support.
Applications for the Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Trade-up Programme for 2018-19 have opened.
It is designed to help established social entrepreneurs bring benefits to their communities, and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland.
The scheme offers financial support, a learning programme with partner the School for Social Entrepreneurs and a dedicated mentor from Lloyds Banking Group.
Paula Rogers, head of Social Enterprise at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “The Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme attracts so many inspirational and motivated individuals from across Scotland and we look forward to supporting a new cohort of students this year.
“We believe that by supporting individuals to start and develop social businesses to solve the most pressing issues within their local communities, we are helping to drive economic growth across the UK and deliver on our ambition to help Britain prosper.”
The Trade-Up scheme is open to Scotland-based organisations generating at least £15,000 a year and looking to grow their income, while those in their early stages can apply to the Start-up programme.
A grant of up to £5000 of National Lottery funding is available through its Match Trading model, which matches pound-for-pound any increase in trading income.
Hazel Smith, founder of social enterprise Retweed, which provides routes into training, employment and enterprise for vulnerable and disadvantaged women in rural Berwickshire, said: “The Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme has played a valuable role in helping me to get Retweed up-and-running and I have acquired a diverse array of skills to help grow my business, whilst learning from a network of like-minded people.”
The programme, in its sixth year, has a target of supporting 2350 social entrepreneurs by 2020.
Alastair Wilson, CEO of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, said: “Our partnership with Lloyds Banking Group has enabled us to support thousands of social entrepreneurs across the UK to develop businesses with a social impact in their communities. We look forward to supporting these social entrepreneurs.”
Applications are open online at www.bethesocialchange.com.
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