Dragons Den Prize Celebration Day

Back in October,  Peter McDonald of BCLC attended an event in Oban organised by the Argyll & Bute Social Enterprise Network ( ABSEN). The event has as its’ hub a “Dragons Den” style competition whose winner would be awarded £5000 towards the costs of their project. Peter entered and explained our plans for Rhubodach Forest. He was very convincing and the panel of eminent judges awarded him the first prize.

On Tuesday 2nd Feb, Peter and I (Andy Walters)  attended a celebration event at the Dynamic Earth centre in Edinburgh. This was a chance to meet other award winners from all over Scotland and compare notes and gain inspiration. We met many interesting and dynamic individuals, all of whom could be described as “social entrepreneurs”.  Social enterprises are businesses, however the key difference over private enterprise is that profits are ploughed back into the business. Like us, many of the attendees were holding down full time jobs or running their own businesses.

This was all about individuals who want to help their communities and the people within them. It was also about celebrating the 2 scottish organisations which have been formed to make the process of starting a social enterprise and applying for advice and funding much ,much easier. They are Firstport and Scotland Unltd. They are young, dynamic and doing a great job.