A £606,381 cash boost will help build community resilience and put voluntary and social enterprise organisations and businesses in Bath & North East Somerset at the heart of economic recovery and regeneration.
The funding was awarded to the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) following a successful bid coordinated by the West of England Combined Authority.
SSE will partner with local third sector lead 3SG to help people from underrepresented groups and communities into self-employment and help them gain the confidence, skills, and funding they need to set up their own social enterprises.
Over 200 voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations will also benefit from workshops events and courses and 30 individuals and enterprises will receive intensive support and Match Trading Grants of up to £13,500.
Chief Executive for the West of England Combined Authority, Patricia Greer said:
“This is great news. This programme offers the skills, support and funding needed for would-be entrepreneurs to take the first steps into self-employment, bringing benefits to their communities. It will also help build the resilience of voluntary community and social enterprise organisations many of which have been impacted by the pandemic.”
Sally Heard, director of development & external affairs at SSE, says:
“We are thrilled to be able to grow the social economy in Bath & North East Somerset. At SSE, we are committed to igniting entrepreneurship to transform our communities and accelerating social innovation to tackle systemic challenges. This exciting programme enables both, and we are delighted to work with the West of England Combined Authority and 3SG to deliver it.”
The funding comes from the government’s UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF). The West of England Combined Authority collated the bids into this Government fund, as lead authority for the West of England. This includes the Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire area.
