Additional investment of more than £5 million has been announced by the Scottish Government

A new three-year plan to boost social enterprise in Scotland has been published.

The latest Social Enterprise Action Plan will offer increased support to the sector - boosting its potential for growth and putting the social enterprise model at the heart of Scotland’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish Government says the plan demonstrates its commitment to social enterprise as a way of doing business for the common good and  to building a wellbeing economy.

Key investments include:

• £2 million over three years to ensure that by 2024 every school child will have the opportunity to engage with a social enterprise project in their school career, introducing the benefits of the social enterprise model to young people
• investing an additional £1.5 million to build on the successful programme of support offered through Adapt and Thrive, which helps community organisations wanting to diversify their income streams
• investing £1.5 million to create a clear pipeline for social enterprises from conception to the international market, with a focus on ethical opportunities in emerging markets such as Africa and South East Asia

Communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “I am delighted that we have today launched our new Social Enterprise Action Plan.

“As we move forward from the effects of Covid-19, we need to ensure that we build back in a way that helps us rebalance our economy and enables us to create a society that is free from inequalities and disadvantage.

“The Scottish Government wants to create a wellbeing economy that works for everyone. Social enterprises will be central to this work, demonstrating this ethos through conducting business with social purpose. The social enterprise model can also help us to deliver on our aim to protect the environment, ensuring a just transition to a net zero future.”