A Scottish Government minister has hailed the booming social enterprise sector in the Highlands and islands, saying the region is leading the way in Scotland.
Communities Secretary Angela Constance said the region – now home to close to a quarter of the country’s social enterprises – was “punching above its weight”.
The SNP MSP praised the growth of socially responsible businesses as she visited two leading initiatives on a trip to Inverness yesterday.
She met staff at the Inverness Impact Hub on Castle Street, the first of its kind in Scotland to join a global network which supports the development of such enterprises.
And then Ms Constance attended New Start Highland on Carsegate Road, which offers job training, supplies furniture to people in need across the north, as well as offering housing support.
She told the Press and Journal she was impressed by the flourishing social enterprises in the Highland capital and said they could offer a model for other parts of the country.
“I’ve been to see the Impact Hub which was the first of its kind in Scotland,” she said.
“The Scottish Government is supporting that with a bit of resource, £25,000, and essentially it’s about ensuring that social enterprises across the Highlands have the opportunity to learn and grow and meet together and speak – it’s a great initiative.
“I do think it’s a model. I’m sure we will see more impact hubs grow up elsewhere in Scotland.
“It’s a global membership organisation and it’s quite an onerous application process, so it’s a big feather in the cap of Inverness being the first. It says something about the strength of social enterprise in the Highlands.
“You are in many respects leading the way. In Scotland we have around 5,000 social enterprises that employ 100,000 people, would be worth about £1.6billion in GVA to the economy, but more than a fifth of social enterprises are in the Highlands and islands.
“The Highlands and islands have 9% of the population but have 22% of Scottish social enterprises. You’re punching above your weight.”
After touring the offices and warehouses of New Start Highland, Ms Constance added: “This is a good example of an all-round, holistic service that is very effective, and actually is supporting hundreds of people.”
