Social Enterprise Academy

📢 Calling all organisations in receipt of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund!

🙌 We are holding fully funded 'Developing Sustainability' programmes in Dundee & Online from September to November 2026, thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland!

🌱 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

Across Scotland, museums and galleries play a vital role in communities – protecting heritage, inspiring learning, and creating spaces where people connect with culture.

But behind the scenes, many organisations are under significant pressure.

For Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) – the national development body for the sector – supporting the resilience of museums means investing in the people who lead them.

And that means developing leadership.

In a recent conversation with John Campbell, Senior Skills Development Manager at MGS, we explore the challenges and opportunities that developing leaders presents.

Read the full article here: https://socialenterprise.academy/blog/news/how-museums-galleries-scotland-is-strengthening-the-future-of-the-sector/

Image credit in the article to Ryan McGoverne and Museums Galleries Scotland

How Museums Galleries Scotland is Strengthening the Future of the Sector Across Scotland, museums and galleries play a vital role in communities - protecting heritage, inspiring learning, and creating spaces where people connect with culture.

🚨 Final chance to apply for our Developing Sustainability Residentials!

📢 Fully funded places available for organisations currently in receipt of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund!

🙌 Cohorts will take place in the Highlands & Cumbernauld in May & June 2026.

🌱 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.

➡️ Don't miss out! Apply by 5pm on Friday 01 May to secure your place. Find out more about the programme and sign up here: https://your.socialenterprise.academy/course/view.php?id=2669

Communities in Scotland - particularly rural Scotland - depend on the people and the connections within them to thrive.

In the latest blog from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Social Enterprise Academy's Head of Adult Learning, Bridie Ashrowan, shares why investing in community leaders and social enterprises is key to building a more resilient, inclusive future.

At a time of economic pressure, climate transition, and widening inequality, community-based organisations are:

• Creating jobs and tackling poverty
• Responding to real local needs with agility
• Driving sustainable, inclusive economic growth
• Keeping wealth circulating within communities

With over 6,000 social enterprises contributing £2.3 billion to Scotland’s economy, their impact is already significant - but their potential is even greater.

The message is clear: by investing in people and leadership at the community level, we can create places where future generations are proud to live and work.

Thanks to Dr Cristina Clopot and Sarah Skerratt for the opportunity to share our message.

Read the full article below 👇

Building wealth through investing in rural Scotland's community leaders Bridie Ashrowan writes that Scotland can deliver meaningful change, and increased wealth, by investing in those leading community-based organisations and social enterprises.

Building confidence and connections in a new community doesn’t just change one life - it creates a ripple effect that reaches families, communities, and beyond.

Khairullah Nickpai arrived in Inverness from Afghanistan with a clear focus: creating a stable future for his family.

Through the 'Wide Horizons - Community Integration Programme', Nickpai has been building his confidence, improving his English, and forming meaningful connections in his new community.

Today, his children are settled in school, his wife is developing new skills, and he is about to begin a new job - powerful milestones that reflect a renewed sense of stability.

But the impact doesn’t stop there.

From exploring Inverness and learning about Scottish culture, to discovering volunteering and sharing opportunities with other Afghan families, Nickpai is passing on knowledge and opening doors for others.

Read Nickpai’s full story and discover the ripple effect of the 'Wide Horizons - Community Integration Programme' here: https://socialenterprise.academy/blog/news/nickpais-story-building-a-new-life-in-inverness/

Delivered by Social Enterprise Academy in partnership with New Start Highland, in collaboration with the Scottish Refugee Council and The Highland Council’s Adult Learning Team, and funded by the Highland Third Sector Interface's Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults - this programme has been a powerful example of what partnership and flexibility can achieve.

📢 Calling all organisations in receipt of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland!

🙌 We are holding fully funded 'Developing Sustainability Residentials' in the Highlands & Cumbernauld in May & June 2026, thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund!

🌱 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

🚀 Boost your personal growth and collective resilience through the Just Enterprise Resilient Leader's Toolkit!

This resource is designed for third sector organisations and social enterprises that are navigating funding pressures, sustainability challenges, recruitment and retention struggles & low team motivation, as well as other internal and external challenges.

It contains downloadable tools to support you with personal resilience measurement, 10 ways to build your resilience, and ways to shift your focus, as well as a circles of control exercise.

This fully funded, flexible learning toolkit will give you:
🤩 Practical ideas and tips for building your personal resilience
🧠 The chance to apply insights gained to your own organisation
🤔 An opportunity to reflect on your leadership and next steps to help you take action

➡️ Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Mxi9YCzyWUW7N8xhoQUYZL3rAvMO7OZCqB-PiMPjdStUQU4zV1JMUlUxSkZDRUJKQ0lSUEY4MDgyRi4u&route=shorturl

📧 If you have any questions, please email [email protected]