Profits from the world’s only social enterprise gin have gone into helping disadvantaged young adults find skilled work.
Ginerosity, the Edinburgh-based spirits company, which formed in October, announced its first round of funding last week..
The firm also revealed the appointment of an advisory panel of big-hearted business leaders and a ground-breaking partnership with developmental organisation Challenges Worldwide.
The panel, Ginerosity said, will allocate funds raised by sales of its gin for overseas courses run by Challenges Worldwide through the International Citizen Service (ICS). The announcements come as the drinks company continues to gather momentum with sales across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Ginerosity said successful applicants will go on 10-12 week placements in sub-Saharan Africa where they will work for a local social enterprise business, helping it to meet criteria that will enable it to attract investment.
The applicants are given feedback and support throughout their time in Africa by Challenges Worldwide staff.
On their return to the UK, applicants will be eligible to sit the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 5 qualification in Professional Consulting. The Ginerosity team will cover the £300 price of the certificate for its applicants, plus contribute towards the £800 ICS fundraising target.
Ginerosity director and social entrepreneur Chris Thewlis said: “The ripple effect of this concept is limitless. By helping one young adult, we support another social enterprise, helping it grow and expand, which in turn helps others. The young people we help fund return home and champion other social enterprises, including, we hope, Ginerosity; as well as gain a valuable qualification.
By helping one young adult we support another social enterprise, helping it grow and expand - Chris Thewlis
“This unique, innovative project feeds itself, and is delivered simply by people buying our beautiful gin. I urge gin lovers everywhere to support the Ginerosity mission.”
The first young adults will receive their funding by April, with the programmes beginning in June. Similar trips take place in the autumn and winter, supporting hundreds of young adults and social enterprises globally each year.
Eoghan Mackie, chief executive of Challenges Worldwide, said: "We are proud to have been selected by the team behind Ginerosity and to have the chance to bring the social side of the brand to life.
"At Challenges, we believe in the power of business as a force for good. Through our work with people and enterprises we are beginning to see truly sustainable impact that is scalable. Partnerships like this help us involve more young people as well as reach a wider audience with our message."
Interested young adults (18-25) can apply through Challenges Worldwide’s website www.challengesworldwide.com as well as the Ginerosity website, www.ginerosity.com
