Relationship Manager (East of Scotland) - Firstport The Relationship Manager will help strengthen our regional presence and ensure individuals and communities can access our support to explore, test and grow social enterprise ideas.

Apply here: www.firstport.org.uk/meet-the-tea...

We are hiring!

We are looking for a Relationship Manager based in the East of Scotland to help strengthen our regional presence and ensure that individuals and communities can access support to explore, test, and grow their social enterprise ideas.

Deadline for applications: Monday 18th May, 9am

We’re pleased to have supported the development of @firstportscotland.bsky.social's “An entrepreneurs guide to social investment.”

The guide helps organisations navigate social investment with more clarity.

Read the full guide to learn more, here: buff.ly/IYtwtLZ

Social investment can feel like a maze. Grants, loans, revenue-based finance… where do you even start?

Our Entrepreneur’s Guide to Social Investment maps it all out and helps you find the right fit for your venture:
www.firstport.org.uk/revenue-based-finance-guide/

#SocEnt #SocialInvestment

If you’re exploring how social investment can help align income with impact, you can learn more about our approach and support here:
www.firstport.org.uk/social-inves...

#socialinvestment #socialimpact #PurposeDriven

Graphic promoting the Just Enterprise Impact Report 2023–2025. The image features a quote in a speech bubble: "I’d done business support programmes before, but nothing as tailored and empowering as this...". Below is a partial view of the report’s open pages and front cover, with the title "Just Enterprise Impact Report 2023–2025". A red circle at the bottom right reads "OUT NOW!" in bold white text.

The Just Enterprise Impact Report 23–25 is out now!

See how fully funded support is strengthening social enterprise across Scotland.
📄 justenterprise.org/wp-content/u...
#JustEnterpriseImpact25 #SocialEnterpriseScotland @socialenterprise.scot @ceisgroup.bsky.social @firstportscotland.bsky.social

Scotland’s social enterprise pipeline is thriving.

Here are 7 stats that show how Just Enterprise Start-Up support is nurturing ambition, inclusion and early-stage impact across the country.

🎥 Watch now! 👇

#JEImpact25 #StartupSupport #SocialEnterpriseScotland @firstportscotland.bsky.social

Ana Stewart’s Pathways Pledge initiative reaches fifth cohort Connect Three, Geovation Scotland and Mint Ventures now among the 32 pledge partners so far

The Pathways Pledge initiative has welcomed its fifth cohort, with the Edinburgh University, BGF, @mintventures.bsky.social and @firstportscotland.bsky.social among those signing up

www.insider.co.uk/news/ana-ste...

The Catalyst Fund: Evolving to Meet New Needs - Firstport Since 2021, the Catalyst Fund has backed ambitious social enterprises to grow, deploying flexible finance to help create social and environmental impact. But the landscape, makeup and needs of social ...

To explore what’s new with the Catalyst Fund and learn more about how it can support you and your social enterprise, click on this link www.firstport.org.uk/news/the-cat...

The Catalyst Fund backs social enterprises with flexible, repayable social investment—helping them grow, innovate and deliver impact. We’re making it more inclusive and accessible than ever.

Click the link in the comments to explore what’s new and see how it could support you.

Farmer Jones Academy CIC secures £575,000 Catalyst Fund investment to develop youth-led innovation campus in Tain - Firstport The campus will tackle rural depopulation and boost local employment through vocational training, sustainable food production, and tourism development

Discover more about the Farmer Jones Training Academy and their journey with Firstport by clicking on this link www.firstport.org.uk/news/farmer-...

Farmer Jones Academy CIC secures £575,000 Catalyst Fund investment to develop youth-led innovation campus in Tain

#socialenterprise #socent #socialinvestment

Are you a social enterprise working on bold ideas that address child poverty, economic inclusion, the climate emergency, and sustainable public services?

With a £50k top grant & two £25k runner-up awards, there’s more support than ever to bring your vision to life.

Energy Training Academy is a great example of a social enterprise supporting Scotland's net zero ambitions by tackling the shortage of skills in heat & renewables technologies.

We're proud to have invested in them through the Catalyst Fund & thank them for hosting us.

Funding from the Social Enterprise Boost Fund has re-opened for applications.

If you are interested in applying, please read the Guidance Notes before completing an application form and we encourage you to tap into the business support and training provided by @PNE

#Darroch Nurseries: Planting the right tree in the right place for the right reasons. - Firstport This case study highlights how Firstport has supported Darroch Nurseries, Scotland's only social enterprise dedicated to growing native, local provenance trees. Through funding and strategic support, ...

Discover more about Darroch Nurseries and their journey with Firstport by clicking on this link www.firstport.org.uk/case-studies...

Darroch Nurseries began with a simple idea: plant the right tree, in the right place, for the right reasons. Now it’s tackling climate change, creating jobs, and growing a greener future.

#socialenterprise #socialimpact

Are you a social entrepreneur in Scotland ready to take your impact to the next level? If you’ve been thinking about social investment but not sure where to start — we’ve got you.

#socialinvestment #socent #socialimpact

#Social Enterprise Boost: BlueJay Wellness CIC - Firstport The Social Enterprise Boost team sat down with Lisa Cryer, the founder of BlueJay Wellness, a social enterprise that aims to empower young people in the North East to improve their mental and physical...

View the full announcement here: www.firstport.org.uk/.../social-e...

The Social Enterprise Boost programme will run from March 2025 - March 2026 across County Durham, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Thanet.

After two fantastic years of supporting impact-driven ventures, Firstport and PNE are back and ready to help even more changemakers in Sunderland and South Tyneside.

Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, we want to hear from you. Let’s grow your social enterprise together.

If you’re thinking about #socialinvestment but not sure how to proceed, our investment experts are here to help point you in the right direction – whether that’s to our investment readiness support programmes, loan products or to other investors and funders.

Get in touch to learn more.

Got questions about funding for social enterprise start ups?

We're hosting a StartIt surgery tomorrow that will answers any questions you have about our StartIt award.

See image for details.
#funding #socialenterprise #socent

#Braw Tea Café: A Kind Kitchen Changing Lives - Firstport This case study highlights Dundee-based Braw Tea Café, which empowers disadvantaged women through training, employment, and community support. Supported by Firstport, it offers a welcoming space for s...

This case study highlights Dundee-based Braw Tea Café, which empowers disadvantaged women through training, employment, and community support. Supported by Firstport, it offers a welcoming space for skill-building and confidence while serving and vegan meals. www.firstport.org.uk/case-studies...

Thank you for sharing, really appreciated. These workshops will tell you everything you need to know about applying for either our start it or build it awards.

@firstportscotland.bsky.social is hosting a series of sessions to help you navigate their #funding criteria

📅'Start It' Workshop: 8 April, 10-11
📅'Build It' Workshops: 10 April, 10-11 | 15 April, 10-11 |
22 April, 10-11

🔗www.firstport.org.uk/category/events/

#startit #buildit #fundingworkshops

Step Up offers 0% interest loans from £5K to £30K to help social enterprises grow. Whether you’re developing new products, expanding services, or scaling up your operations, this funding can support your trading activities and business growth strategies www.firstport.org.uk/news/step-up...

We're hiring 🎉

Are you passionate about supporting social enterprises to grow and make a lasting impact? Do you have a keen eye for financial analysis and investment assessment experience?

Find out more about the role and how to apply by clicking on the link www.firstport.org.uk/meet-the-tea...

Successful business closing in on 25 years on town's High Street AN INDEPENDENT business which has grown into a thriving community hub is celebrating 25 years in Dunbar.

And in community ownership since 2019 - www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/2502077... @democraticfinance.bsky.social

We're hiring.

The Growth Advisor is a brand new role that will provide hands-on, tailored support to a portfolio of organisations scaling up their business operations and social or environmental impact.

Discover more about this role by clicking on this link www.firstport.org.uk/news/growth-...

#Braw Tea Café: A Kind Kitchen Changing Lives - Firstport This case study highlights Dundee-based Braw Tea Café, which empowers disadvantaged women through training, employment, and community support. Supported by Firstport, it offers a welcoming space for s...

Click on this link www.firstport.org.uk/case-studies... and learn more about Braw Tea and their empowering story.