Futurebuilders Scotland Investing in the Social Economy
Foreword
The Social Economy Review (the Review), which we published in 2003, affirmed the Scottish Executive's commitment to develop the social economy as a service provider. Our priority for improving the range and quality of public service delivery means a role for the public, for-profit and social economy sectors. The Review envisaged more social economy organisations taking on service delivery, more diversification, and a culture of continuous improvement in service quality.
The Review set out the framework for strengthening the social economy - and Futurebuilders Scotland is an 18 million investment to translate these strategic objectives into practical action. We recognise the diverse roles played by the social economy in addressing regeneration as its organisations develop their communities, help to develop young people, and contribute to our strategic objective of Closing the Opportunity Gap. Futurebuilders Scotland funding will concentrate on these areas.
We recognise the added value that the sector brings to the delivery of public services. Social economy organisations have a real understanding of the area in which they operate. They are flexible and able to innovate. The social economy in Scotland is becoming much more business-like in its approach to service delivery - and this is helping some organisations to generate significant profits on some of their services. Some might call them not-for-profit businesses. But we see them as more-than-profit organisations - they invest in the communities they serve.
In particular, we believe that:
- There is scope for the social economy to increase its contribution to the social and economic well-being of Scotland.
- Social economy organisations are particularly effective in working with excluded and disadvantaged people.
- The social economy should be encouraged to help tackle poverty and deprivation wherever it exists.
So the social economy has a crucial role in our agenda of Closing the Opportunity Gap.
Scottish Ministers are keen to encourage a social economy sector in Scotland that delivers the services all Scots deserve. We want to see strong, sustainable organisations that generate a substantial portion of their income through service delivery. We want to develop the social economy organisations of the future - organisations with the track record, skill set and capacity for growth that equips them to deliver services in areas where the need is greatest.
Margaret Curran, MSP
Minister for Communities