HIE chairman speaks of 'new breed' in Highlands and Islands

The Highlands and Islands should be fully exploiting the area's natural flair for social enterprise according to HIE chairman William Roe.

Speaking at the Caberfeidh Hotel in Stornoway last night (August 22) Mr Roe told members of Voluntary Action Lewis (VAL) that the importance of social enterprise was growing rapidly, with a dedicated unit now operating within the Scottish Executive and a draft social enterprise strategy currently out for public consultation.

"Although the voluntary sector has been the bedrock of community strength for generations and will continue to be for many generations to come - it is being complemented by the emergence of a new breed of social entrepreneurs who are thinking along new lines," he said.

Social enterprise has traditionally included operations such as community co-operatives and credit unions, but people are now exploring new business ideas such as childcare, recycling, renewable energy and care services.

Such initiatives are providing areas with income and new services while the reduction in grant dependency is contributing to a dynamic sense of community, said Mr Roe.

He cited VAL's own grass cutting project on Lewis as an excellent example of what is being achieved. He also pointed to the entrepreneurial nature of the COPE enterprise on Shetland which offers workplace opportunities for people with learning difficulties.

"COPE has set up a sandwich-making business and runs an organic market garden. It is investigating the supply of bottled water, has a shop, and manufactures soap which is on sale in the Scottish Parliament. It moves constantly, wherever the opportunities are. It is a perfect example of how entrepreneurship works and can deliver social benefits."

Mr Roe added that funding bodies are making a recognisable shift away from grant giving and into investment and said that cash for money-making proposals is now more widely available following an increase in the number of social banks.

The successful acquisition of large estates through community land buy-out demonstrates the ambition and expertise of Highland communities. Mr Roe expressed confidence that community businesses would increasingly pursue public sector contracts from local authorities, health boards and the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Roe recommended that those interested in setting up social enterprises should contact the Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ), their local enterprise company, the Development Trust Association Scotland or the BIG Lottery Fund's Growing Community Assets team which is run by a HIE-led consortium.