Addressing the challenges of sustainable rural social enterprises. Anne MacDonald Culture & Third Sector Team, Strengthening Communities Group.

The Purpose To focus the Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

H.I.E. Area

Sub-header  Body text or bullet point minimum size  Please delete any unused slides Population Source: GROS Census

Survey Recommendations Education - raising the emphasis of current further and higher education provision and developing the potential of the UHI Millennium Institute for students in and from outside the region; Employment - improving perception of local employment; promoting other routes such as self- employment and raising awareness of prospects in traditional and emerging sectors; Environment - working to improve access to affordable housing, enhancing public transport, and promoting the region's unique culture, natural assets and its city.

Unemployment Source: Claimant Count (NOMIS) 2001: above Scotland and GB 2009: below Scotland and GB

Sectors of employment Source: Annual Business Inquiry (ONS), 2007 data

How are we addressing these challenges?

Area Challenges Fragile area criteria  Average household income  Distance from a medium sized service centre  Population change between last two censuses  Population density

Fragile Areas Social Enterprises BOGs TRAPs Non Fragile Areas Whole Communities Crofting Micro - businesses Growth at the Edge

 Selected on fragility (demographic, geographic and economic)  Anchor Organisation  A social enterprise with community development objectives  Works with whole community  Employs Local Development Officer  Develops a sustainable revenue stream  HIE nominated ‘account manager’ for each community  Exit strategy Community Account Management – Process

Strengthening Communities Key sectors Arts & Culture Community renewable energy Community land & asset management Gaelic language

Building Capacity

Account management of social enterprises  Proactive  Individuals/teams assigned to work with clients  Holistic approach to growth

Mareel (Shetland)

Storas Uibhist  acres of land  Population of approx people  850 tenant crofters  Askernish Golf course.

Lochinver

Indicators of success  Community-led economic and social growth  Enhanced community capacity  Improved community incomes  Sustainable community action planning  Dynamic, creative communities  Improving population trends  Greater cohesion between communities

Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust Scotland’s first grid-connected community-owned windfarm (3 second-hand wind turbines) Energy for all of Gigha and for export to the mainland Forecast net annual income of £100K Long term financial sustainability

Aspirations A growing population in every part of the area A more diverse employment base Higher incomes in real terms World-rated attractiveness of natural and built environments And an open-arms approach to attracting people – an international shop window for Scotland