In the ever-evolving landscape of Scotland’s social and third sectors, the Accelerate Programme has transformed the way community organisations and social enterprises build resilience and sustainability. Piloted in 2018, it has now supported over 2,000 organisations in moving towards a sustainable future.
Scotland’s third sector plays a vital role in addressing social inequality, improving wellbeing, and fostering community cohesion. Yet many organisations face increasing pressure due to:
- Shrinking public sector budgets
- Rising demand for services
- The need to diversify income streams
Developed by a partnership between Community Enterprise and the Scottish Community Alliance, Accelerate helps organisations build the capacity and confidence to explore income generation without compromising their social mission. It acts as a bridge between traditional grant dependency and sustainable enterprise, empowering groups to take control of their futures.
Accelerate is designed specifically for third and social enterprise sector organisations that are:
- Based in Scotland and delivering community benefit
- Asset-locked and non-profit distributing
- Not yet trading or taking a commercial approach
- Willing to explore new ways of becoming sustainable
Participants receive around six days of tailored support, which can include:
- Business planning and financial modelling
- Exploring trading ideas
- Marketing and branding strategies
- Governance and board development
- Legal structure reviews
- Digital transformation
This flexibility ensures that support is responsive to each organisation’s unique context, rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
From rural development trusts to autism support groups and community arts collectives, Accelerate has supported thousands of organisations across Scotland.
You can read case studies from some of their recent clients by following the links below:
- Paws on Plastic: an environmental initiative that scaled its impact through better branding and planning.
- Held in Our Hearts: a bereavement support charity that strengthened its governance and digital presence.
- Berwickshire Marine Reserve: explored new income streams to support conservation efforts.
Visit the Community Enterprise website to find out more about the Accelerate Programme.
