‘Scotland Demands Better’ – A future where Scotland can thrive through practical change.
Posted: 06 October 2025, in News
On Saturday, 25th October, Scotland will take to the streets of Edinburgh. The march will begin at Holyrood and end at The Meadows, where a rally will be held.
The Scotland Demands Better campaign is supported by a wide coalition of organisations from across the country. Its message is simple but powerful. Scotland deserves better than the status quo of homelessness, hunger, inequality, and insecurity. There are three vital areas for action: decent jobs, fair investment, and stronger social security. These demands are not abstract ideals. They are practical steps towards a fairer, greener, and more resilient Scotland.
For social enterprise, this campaign is an opportunity. Every day, our sector delivers solutions to these very issues. By joining the campaign, we can show policymakers and the public that communities already hold the answers — and that investing in social enterprise is investing in Scotland’s future.
Together, we will demand that our politicians take action to address Scotland’s most urgent challenges. This is a moment for our sector to stand together in solidarity and to make our collective voice heard.
Social enterprises lead by example when it comes to fair and meaningful employment. Many already pay the Real Living Wage, offer flexible working, and create opportunities for people who face barriers to the labour market — including disabled people, care-experienced young people, and those in recovery. This is exactly the type of fair work Scotland needs. By scaling up what we already do, social enterprise demonstrates that better jobs are not only possible but happening right now.
One of the campaign’s core demands is stable, long-term funding for community and voluntary organisations. Social enterprises are directly affected by the instability of short-term grants and contracts, which restrict innovation and sustainability. We know that multi-year, flexible investment allows organisations to plan for the future, grow their impact, and strengthen local economies and communities. Beyond funding, social enterprises also show how investment in community-owned assets (from housing and renewable energy to childcare and transport) produces lasting returns for Scotland’s communities.
Social enterprises don’t just provide services; we build resilience and pride in communities. From housing co-operatives to circular economy projects, our sector demonstrates that fairer economic models already exist. By sharing our stories, we can show that the demands of this campaign are not theoretical. They are real solutions, already being delivered across Scotland.
That is why it is so important that social enterprises join this movement. By marching together on Saturday, 25th October, we will add our voice to a national call for change. This is a chance to show solidarity with other organisations pressing for justice, and to demonstrate that social enterprise is central to building the fairer Scotland we all want to see.
We encourage our members to attend the march, bring colleagues and friends, and help make social enterprise visible on the day. (Travel bursaries are available to organisations looking to book transport to Edinburgh for the march. Click here to find out more.) Together, we can demand better — and show that a fairer Scotland is possible.
Andy Paterson, Policy Officer, Social Enterprise Scotland
You can find more information on the Scotland Demands Better campaign on their website by clicking here, or by following on their social media pages: Instagram, Facebook.