Firstport has announced £170,000 worth of seed funding for Scotland's newest social entrepreneurs
A new generation of Scottish social entrepreneurs is to benefit from £170,000 seed funding.
16 individuals from across Scotland have been awarded funding from the Social Entrepreneurs Fund. The awards were delivered by Firstport, Scotland’s start up social enterprise development agency.
Ayr social entrepreneur Ross Hunter received a £4,451 award to pilot his business, SHOUT! Productions CIC, a film production company and studio providing commercial services, a community cinema and free practical film making workshops.
Ross said: “Throughout my professional career, I've witnessed firsthand the positive impact film can have on communities. We aim to give disadvantaged members of the community a voice and opportunities using this medium. We're delighted that Firstport has believed in SHOUT! Productions, and given us the opportunity to begin this journey.
“We have already started putting the money to good use. During the recent Anti-Bullying Week, we launched our maiden project, the COURAGE! Campaign, an anti-bullying film campaign based all across Ayrshire. We've also started collaborating with fellow awardees on projects, and the future looks bright for our organisation.”
The awards are part of Firstport’s Start It and Build It awards programmes, funded by the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund.
Other projects funded as part of this latest round include a clothing brand designed by the homeless community in Glasgow, an environmental services business providing training and employability skills in Campbeltown and a project which aims to train disengaged young people to deliver sports coaching to children across the Forth Valley area.
Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport said: “Social enterprise is a sustainable route to tackling some of Scotland’s most challenging social issues. Businesses and communities across the country are seeing profit not as a way to line people's pockets, but as a tool to invest in the support and resiliency of our communities. I’m delighted that Firstport is able to support a new generation of entrepreneurs to kick start the businesses of the future.”
