Scotland’s communities are fortunate to benefit from a rich ecosystem of support for community development and social enterprise. Some of the key organisations and networks involved are profiled below.

Third Sector Interfaces

As part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing the role of communities and the third sector (commonly also referred to as the voluntary sector), it has invested in the development of a network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) across Scotland. TSIs are funded by the Scottish Government to deliver four core functions:

  • Volunteering development – support for volunteers and organisations who support volunteers;
  • Social enterprise development – to promote and develop social enterprise locally;
  • Supporting and developing a strong third sector – support for third sector organisations on setting up a charity, training and development, and funding advice;
  • Building the third sector’s relationship with community planning – acting as the conduit and connecting the third sector with the implementation of the Single Outcome Agreements and Community Planning Process.

There is now a TSI in each of Scotland’s 32 Local Authority areas, but these differ in structure; currently 22 operate as single organisations and 10 as partnerships.

Social Enterprise Networks

There are a number of locally focussed and thematic social enterprise networks (SENs) in Scotland. These are collaborations of social enterprise seeking to support and learn from each other. Some are constituted organisations, and some of these have paid staff. Others are loose collaborations. But all seek to meet regularly, share knowledge and learning, and represent the sector at local, regional and national levels. For information on the various SENs, visit their website.

Development Trusts Association Scotland

Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) is the trade association for community development trusts – the community-led regeneration network. As a membership organisation, it informs, supports and represents the network of development trusts in Scotland, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise and encouraging mutualism
and cooperation amongst the network.

Members can access a range of advice, support and other benefits such as discounted services. DTAS can also provide support to those looking to set up a community development trust.

Scottish Community Alliance

The Scottish Community Alliance (SCA) campaigns for a strong and independent community sector in Scotland. Its overarching aim is to help the sector develop its own distinct identity and voice so that it can campaign effectively on a wide range of issues.

SCA is formed of 22 thematic member networks who between them engage with over 2000 community-based organisations and enterprises across Scotland. Each network itself provides support and representation to community bodies tacking specific themes, from transport to renewable energy and from woodlands to credit unions.

Scottish Rural Network

Scottish Rural Network (SRN) encourages rural development by sharing information, ideas, events and good practice on related topics. It also seeks to link people, communities, organisations and businesses across rural Scotland and beyond.