Social enterprise support
If you’re starting a social enterprise or running a community, voluntary or not‑for‑profit organisation, there is a wide range of free, local support available to help you grow, build capacity, and increase your social impact.
Where to Get Help
Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLan)
VASLan provides dedicated support for third sector organisations across South Lanarkshire. They can help you with:
- Governance and legal structures
- Networking and partnership opportunities
- Funding advice and grant support
- Volunteer recruitment and management
Find more information on VASLan
Business Gateway Lanarkshire
Business Gateway Lanarkshire offers specialist business advice tailored to social enterprises, including:
- Business planning and financial forecasting
- Marketing support
- Digital skills workshops
- 1:1 sessions with experienced business advisers
Find more information on Business Gateway Lanarkshire
Develop Your Skills and Capabilities
Supplier Development Programme (SDP)
The Supplier Development Programme provides free training to help social enterprises and third sector organisations understand how to:
- Bid for public sector contracts
- Navigate tendering portals
- Improve procurement readiness
This is ideal if you want to grow through public contracts or diversify your income streams.
Find more information on the Supplier Development website
Climate Confident Scorecard
Through the Climate Confident programme, you can complete a simple online self-assessment to understand your organisation’s:
- Environmental performance
- Carbon footprint
- Opportunities to improve sustainability
You’ll receive tailored next steps to become more climate‑aware and climate‑ready.
Find more information on Climate Confident
Firstport
Firstport offers highly specialised support for early‑stage social entrepreneurs, including:
- Start‑up grants
- Feasibility and seed‑funding programmes
- Business support for ideas that tackle social challenges
You can find more information at Firstport
Connect With the Wider Social Enterprise Community
You can access national networks, peer learning opportunities and sector insights through:
- CEiS – Scotland’s leading social enterprise support and development organisation, offering training, events and consultancy.
- Social Enterprise Scotland – A membership-led body offering networking, advocacy and resources to strengthen and promote the sector across Scotland.
These platforms can help you build relationships, stay informed and showcase your impact.
Our Strategy
You can learn more about South Lanarkshire’s commitment to strengthening the social enterprise sector by reading our Social Enterprise Strategy 2023–2027. It outlines our priorities, ambitions and the support available to organisations in the area.