access free & flexible support
Looking to accelerate your organisation?
Accelerate is a support programme for the Third Sector and community organisations. Support is FREE and aims to help groups and organisations become more sustainable and enterprising.
See how we have accelerated other organisations in See our case studies below >
Funded by:
Delivered by:
For third sector groups and community organisations
The Accelerate programme is for those who are:
- Based in Scotland and delivering benefits in Scotland
- Asset locked (non profit distributing)
- Constituted or pre-constituted
- Non trading (not taking a social enterprise or commercial approach)
- Willing to make change to their organisation to become more sustainable
Download the Accelerate Leaflet >
Receive around 6 days of support specific to your needs
Accelerate provides around 6 days of support which is broad and flexible. The type of support is largely up to you and what you think will meet your specific needs. As examples, groups and organisations have used Accelerate to:
- Develop marketing plans
- Look at other funding options
- Explore new trading ideas
- Plan financially and work on budgets
- Improve branding
- Work on a business plan
- Strengthen their Board
- Look at their legal structure
- Find digital solutions
See how we have accelerated other organisations in Our Impact >
Easy online application
- Fill in the expression of interest form.
- We will check your information and confirm if we think you are eligible. You may be asked for further information.
- If eligible, you will be assigned an Enterprise Officer to work with you.
- If ineligible, we will refer you elsewhere and help you find the right support.
- The Enterprise Officer will carry out a mini health check to find out more about you and what support would be useful.
- You agree an action plan with them and the work is carried out in a timeframe to suit you.
- We then keep in touch over time to check how things are going.
Watch how to apply in the Accelerate Webinar Video >
Accelerate Case Studies
Afristyle Dance Club
Alva Development Trust
Arbroath FC Community Trust
Berwickshire Marine Reserve
Big Kids Little Learners
Caraidean Uibhist
Carrick History Society
Cree Valley Area Development Trust
Dalmeny Kirk
Glenkens Community & Arts Trust
Held in our Hearts
Laxdale Community Association (LCA)
Newtongrange Development Trust
Paws On Plastic
The Cottage Family Centre
VIDEO CASE STUDIES
Summary
Held in Our Hearts
Berwickshire Marine Reserve
Paws on Plastic
Big Kids Little Learners
Scotland’s three business support programmes work closely together to create a national approach.
Support for social enterprises specifically at the start-up-stage
Supports non-trading community groups and charities to become more financially sustainable
Support for social enterprises to start-up, trade and grow
Frequently asked questions
Depending on your project and its needs, you can expect to receive around 6 days of support specific to your needs.
Develop marketing and branding plans. Funding strategy support, guided support to explore new trading ideas, financial strategy development and budgeting tools. Business plan development. Governance audits and training, as well as legal structure support. Your support will be tailored to your project and the support that can help you move to the next stage of its development.
No, it is fully funded through the Accelerate programme.
Submit an expression of interest form, and one of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Watch the webinar
In our webinar from January 2022, our CEO Douglas Westwater explores what we offer through the programme, and answers some questions about eligibility and how to apply
Douglas also gave a webinar to the Church of Scotland about how Accelerate relates specifically to churches. You can watch the Church of Scotland webinar on their YouTube channel.
Apply online and let us do the rest
Apply now by completing the expression of interest form and we’ll be in touch for the next step.
Apply Online Now
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