The Midlothian Economic Development Service is here to support all existing, new and emerging Social Enterprises in Midlothian. We provide guidance, support and advice to all Third Sector organisations to help them develop their revenue generating strategy and reduce their reliance on grant funding.
What is a Social Enterprise?
A social enterprise is a business or charity that prioritises social or environmental goals over profit distribution to shareholders. Social Enterprises operate to address social issues, improve community wellbeing, or deliver benefits for the environment. All profits are reinvested in the organisation's purpose while still maintaining financial sustainability.
Social enterprises can adopt various legal structures, each with specific characteristics and requirements. Common structures include:
Each structure offers various levels of flexibility, regulation, and benefits, so if you are considering setting up a Social Enterprise, it is important to choose a structure that best aligns with your goals and operational needs.
Social Enterprise Support in Midlothian
The Economic Development Service is committed to supporting the development and growth of local Social Enterprises.
Our Business Gateway Midlothian Service provides one to one support to individuals considering setting up a social enterprise, and to existing social enterprises, to develop a strategy that aligns their social and environmental objectives to financial sustainability, this can include a mixed funding model.
Support is tailored to the stage and aspirations of each organisation as we take a holistic approach to business support.
To arrange an initial meeting with an Adviser, email BG@Midlothian.gov.uk
Partner Support
A range of support is available for social enterprises in Scotland. These organisations collectively help social enterprises in Scotland with funding, capacity building, business development, and networking, fostering a supportive ecosystem for their growth and sustainability.
Acts as a representative body for social enterprises, providing advocacy, networking opportunities, and promoting the social enterprise sector.
Offers learning and development programs focused on leadership, enterprise, and social impact, tailored to the needs of social entrepreneurs and their teams.
Aims to support social entrepreneurs through seed funding, business advice, and practical resources. It offers various funding programs like the Start It, Build It, and Scale It funds.
Provides business support to social enterprises and enterprising third-sector organizations, offering services like business planning, marketing, and leadership training.
Offers loans and other investment products to social enterprises, charities, and community organizations, helping them grow and achieve their social goals.
Provides consultancy and support services, including business planning, feasibility studies, and market research, tailored to social enterprises and community organizations.Social Enterprise Funding
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your social enterprise, there's a range of fund available to support you.
The National Lottery awards money raised by National Lottery players to fund great ideas and projects that help communities to thrive.
Offer both revenue and capital funding for registered charities and constituted community groups that help people and communities in Scotland who are living with poverty and trauma.
Tyne & Esk have a regularly updated database of available funding for Charity and Voluntary Sector Organisations in Midlothian and East Lothian.Midlothian Social Enterprises
Midlothian is home to a number of thriving social enterprises, all focused on giving back to the local community, developing workforce skills and supporting the transition to a Wellbeing Economy in Midlothian. Here are some of the brilliant businesses we work with who are making a social impact in the area.
The Energy Training Academy (CIC)
The Energy Training Academy are a community interest company that specialises in providing high-quality training and education in the gas and low carbon technology sectors.
The social enterprise status allows them to focus on helping young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain highly marketable skills in renewable, green technologies.
They have also launched a one-of-a-kind Net Zero Home which uniquely combines hands-on training for renewable engineers, educational outreach for children, and a living demonstration of sustainable technologies. It showcases how innovative technologies like solar energy, smart heating, and efficient design can come together to create a more eco-friendly living space.
The Net Zero Home is also an educational platform for children to learn about energy efficiency, inspiring them to pursue careers in renewables while also providing an informative resource for addressing the challenges associated with retrofitting existing buildings, offering real-life examples and solutions.
Local communities are also able to visit the Net Zero Home or take a tour of it from the comfort of their own homes with ETAs virtual tour available online and for connection with VR headsets for an immersive, educational experience.
Rosemains Steading (CIC)
Rosemains Steading CIC is a community-focused enterprise based in rural Midlothian, established with support from Business Gateway Midlothian to create a collaborative and supportive environment for early-stage and small businesses.
The CIC now supports over 15 resident businesses through shared workspace, access to local markets, and a growing network of peer support. In addition, local entrepreneurs are benefiting through engaging in the CIC’s expanding quarterly markets. This foundation is paving the way for future initiatives, including tailored business services and the introduction of shared resources and assets to support business growth and enhance rural enterprise resilience.
Penicuik Community Initiative (CIC)
Penicuik Community Initiative is a local Community Interest Company run by community-minded individuals.
The team run a recycling hub in the heart of Penicuik selling donated and upcycled clothes, furniture and household items and breathing life back into the high street and saving items that would usually end up in landfill.
All profits raised are for Penicuik and the surrounding area, supporting individuals and families to have an enhanced quality of life and mental health.
