Social Enterprise Academy

10/09/2026

Innovation is key to the survival and evolution of all charities, but between firefighting and funding applications, charity leaders don't have much time or budget for it…

Profit for Good was created to change that.

Delivered by The Rank Foundation and Social Enterprise Academy, it gives charity leaders the chance to step away from day-to-day firefighting and explore enterprise ideas to strengthen their organisation for the long-term.

As well as a cohort-based programme of learning and support, participants receive:

- £10,000 seed funding to test an idea

- Action learning sets with external facilitators

- Matched funding for growth over three years

- A supportive group of peers that lasts well beyond the programme

In 2025 alone, 18 organisations developed enterprises through Profit For Good, receiving £180,000 of investment alongside the learning and development support.

Looking back to the cohort of 2023, the 10 organisations who took part generated £274,000 last year through the enterprises they developed.

And this week our next cohort of Profit For Good gets underway.

This work is core to our mission at The Academy - to develop the people who drive the change, and to give them space and support to innovate.

It’s incredible when we have partners who are so aligned in our relational approach - thank you to the team at The Rank Foundation for continuing to drive this forward.

See the full story: https://socialenterprise.academy/blog/news/how-rank-foundation-are-supporting-leadership-and-innovation-to-develop-resilient-charities/

09/09/2026

A brilliant day spent with passionate educators at today's Teacher CPD session, exploring how we can inspire the next generation of social entrepreneurs.

Together, we reflected on the power of youth-led learning, explored what makes a social enterprise unique, and shared how young people across the UK are creating innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. The creativity and commitment of young people continues to inspire us.

We also explored the Social Enterprise Academy methodology, looking at how transformational learning happens through experience, peer learning, reflection and action, and discussed the vital role teachers play in supporting young people to lead change in their communities.

A huge thank you to all the educators who joined us and shared their experiences, insights and enthusiasm. We’re excited to start working together to help young people in schools across Northern Ireland and the Southern Border Counties discover the difference they can make through social enterprise.

Want to get involved? Find out more here: https://ruralaction.co/what-we-do/rural-innovation-and-social-enterprise/



Rural Action, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, Irish Rural Link, Community Finance Ireland & Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB

09/09/2026

Are you ready to develop your leadership potential?

We're thrilled to support this unique opportunity with OUT North East and One Centre, designed to empower LGBTQ+ people across the North East to explore their leadership style, connect with peers, and grow their confidence to create positive change in their communities.

Find out more and apply through the original post below. 👇 🌈

This programme has been made possible with thanks to the players of the People's Postcode Lottery.

🚀Proud to Lead course coming this October!

OUT North East and the Social Enterprise Academy are proud to be partnering to deliver 6 free sessions tailored towards driving you to become a leader in your community.

🎓This course will be value-led allowing participants to shape their experience to their future goals and full attendance will be required in order to successfully achieve certification. To book your space click the link below.

Starts 17th October, 10 AM - 4 PM

🔗 https://tr.ee/SJTAQ5U4PT

04/09/2026

Last call for the Just Enterprise Aspiring Leaders Prorgamme 📢

Jaqueline Willis from the GRAB Trust took part in the Just Enterprise Aspiring Leaders Programme delivered by Social Enterprise Academy to develop her skills to inspire her community towards collective action.

"We don't always see ourselves as leaders, but we all can inspire others towards a shared common goal."

If you're a community leader, but don't always see yourself in that way, then this programme is the perfect way to develop your own self-awareness, skills and confidence.

Check out the interview with Jacqueline below, and secure your place today: https://justenterprise.org/events/event/aspiring-new-leaders/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVbXPNyt0K4

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

27/08/2026

🆕 Are you new to a leadership position, or ready to take that step? Join our Aspiring or New Leaders programme starting 29 September. A second group will start in January too.

🌱This six-day programme is for people in the enterprising third sector who are at the early stages of leadership and would like to step into their leadership more.

🫵 For you if:
- you are new to a management or leadership role
- you aspire to step into management and leadership roles
- you’d like to learn how to lead in an enterprising way to strengthen your organisation

💫Find out more and sign up: https://justenterprise.org/events/event/aspiring-new-leaders/

🗨️ Fantastic – I feel this course will stick with me for a long time – perhaps the rest of my working life. ~Programme participant.

A six-day development programme for novice third sector leaders and managers. Develop your understanding of leadership roles and theories, and build confidence in your ability to lead.

24/08/2026

⌛ Still time to sign up! We have a few spaces left on our Senior Leaders programme starting on 16 September.

This ten-day programme will help you develop leadership skills in line with the aims of your organisation.

For you if:
- you are a leader with strategic and operational responsibilities
- you are a senior leader keen to understand how to lead your organisation in an enterprising way

“A great example of a programme that had been carefully developed and thought through so it could be of most value to the participants” Previous Learner

If you are a senior leader keen to understand and reflect on your leadership style, this ten-day programme will help you develop leadership skills in line with the aims of your organisation.

24/08/2026

📢 Calling all organisations in receipt of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Fund! There's only a few places left on our 4-day Developing Sustainability programmes.

🙌 These two fully funded cohorts will take place in Dundee & Online from September to November 2026 and are specifically for The National Lottery Community Fund grant holders!

🌱 We strongly encourage applications from organisations that have an environmental purpose or are running a project with environmental benefits.

🤝 The programme will look at new ways to increase income, and create more change in your community to enable your environmental and nature-based aims.

➡️ Find out more about the programme and sign up here: https://your.socialenterprise.academy/course/view.php?id=2669

18/08/2026

📢 Calling all Chief Executive Officers! We are currently recruiting for our Leadership Programme designed specifically for CEOs.

This hybrid programme takes place in Glasgow and Online over 10 days between October 2026 - February 2027.

By the end of the programme, you will have:
🙋‍♀️ Enhanced your leadership skills to enable your organisation to be more resilient and sustainable
🦾 Identified and built on your strengths, passion and values to deepen your leadership approach
🕸️ Enhanced your skills to work effectively with stakeholders, partners and your Board
🔎 Gained invaluable insight from other Third Sector leaders from across Scotland, sharing their experiences and good practice
🤝 Built a community of supportive peers within the sector

Find out more and register via this link: https://justenterprise.org/events/event/chief-executive-officers/

17/08/2026

📢 There's just over one week to go until our 'Introduction to Social Enterprise' programme takes place in Inverclyde!

Find out more and register via the link below 👇
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-social-enterprise-with-social-enterprise-academy-tickets-1993445383805

Join Social Enterprise Academy for a one-day workshop to learn more about developing a sustainable and impactful social enterprise.

Designed for organisations looking to develop or strengthen their social enterprise approach, the session will explore the values and purpose of social enterprise, income generation opportunities and how social enterprises balance social impact with financial sustainability.

📅 Tuesday 25 August | 9.30am to 3.30pm
📍 Broomhill Gardens and Community Hub, Greenock

See full course details and join: https://buff.ly/LY8wEmj

With limited places remaining, now is the time to secure your spot.

This event has been funded by the UK Government and Inverclyde Council.

10/08/2026

Join Social Enterprise Academy for this practical one-day workshop, designed for organisations looking to develop or strengthen their social enterprise approach.

📅 Tuesday 25 August | 9:30am to 3:30pm
📍 Broomhill Gardens and Community Hub, Greenock

During the session, you'll explore the values and purpose of social enterprise, different income generation opportunities, real-life examples from across the sector, and how social enterprises balance social impact with financial sustainability.

🔗See full course details: https://buff.ly/ONVlr5M

This event has been funded by UK Government and Inverclyde Council.