Support organisations:
Development Trusts Association Scotland
The Development Trusts Association Scotland is the national body for development trusts in Scotland, supporting you to unlock the potential within your community.
Scottish Community Alliance
Scotland's leading community sector networks can be contacted through the Scottish Community Alliance. This site gives information on how they have joined together in order to campaign for a strong and independent community sector in Scotland.
Just Enterprise
Do you need assistance to develop and grow your existing social enterprise? Just Enterprise business support, start-up, procurement and learning services are available to help.
Business Gateway
Provide practical information and help to you and your business, whether you are starting out or looking to grow.
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
SCVO works to support people to take voluntary action to help themselves and others, and to bring about social change.
Social Farms & Gardens
Social Farms & Gardens is a UK wide charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together.
PAS (Planning Aid Scotland)
PAS offers a free, impartial and confidential planning advice service, provided by our specialist volunteers, all of whom are chartered planners. Please click here to access advice. PAS helps individuals and community groups to get involved in the planning system in an impartial, open and inclusive way. You can also access thier Planning Information sheets under the "About the planning System" tab.
Social Enterprise Academy
The Social Enterprise Academy was set up in 2004 as a social enterprise. We tailor learning and development for people working in, or towards, a leadership role in the social economy.
First Port
We work to identify, advise, connect, encourage and seed fund new start social entrepreneurs.
Social Entrepreneurs Network Scotland (SENScot)
Senscot's vision is of a socially just Scotland where social entrepreneurs and their initiatives are a valued part of everyday life. To achieve this, Senscot builds and services a network to help social entrepreneurs become more effective.
Social Enterprise Scotland
Social Enterprise Scotland is the collective voice of social enterprise in Scotland, bringing together social enterprises and their supporters into a strong campaigning force. We work to:
- build the organisation as a well-managed, membership-led organisation, representing the full range of social enterprise in Scotland.
- raise the profile of social enterprise as a dynamic business model, championing the values and benefits of social enterprise to a broad range of stakeholders.
- represent the needs and views of social enterprise to policy and decision-makers in Scotland.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Audit Scotland
Audit Scotland provides the Auditor General and the Accounts Commissionwith the services they need to check that public money is spent properly, efficiently and effectively.
Social Audit Network
The Social Audit Network (SAN) is a not-for-profit organisation which facilitates the exchange of information and experience between practitioners of social accounting and audit in the social economy and voluntary sectors
Social Return On Investment (SROI) Network
SROI will help you understand, manage and communicate the value that your work creates in a clear and consistent way with customers, beneficiaries and funders.
Professional Bodies
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)
The professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland and is the foremost architectural institute in the country dealing with architecture and the built environment.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Provide the standards, training, support and recognition that put our members – in the UK and overseas – at the peak of their profession.
The Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in the Public Sector (ACES)
The Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in the Public Sector represents
- the professional heads of property and asset management services in local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- senior professional roles in other public sector organisations including the Valuation Office Agency, Fire and Police authorities and government offices
- senior surveyors working in the private sector who predominantly provide professional services to their public sector clients
We champion high performance in public services with clear advice and practical services. Globally, CIPFA stands up for sound public financial management and good governance.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS is the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction. As people, governments, banks and commercial organisations continue to demand more assurance of certified standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.
Government Bodies
Office of Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR)
The independent regulator and registrar for over 23,000 Scottish charities, including community groups, religious charities, schools, universities, grant-giving charities and major care providers.
HIE - Community Land Team
Support communities to grow by assisting them to acquire and develop land and assets in the Highlands and Islands.
SG - Community Assets Branch
Provides impartial advice on all aspects of the Community Right to Buy process. It also provides administration of the Community Right to Buy.
DVS Property Specialists for the Public Sector
DVS is the commercial arm of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and provide professional property advice across the public sector. We offer a broad range of property-related services, including strategic asset management and energy and sustainability services.