Social Enterprise Scotland Response to the Civil Society Covenant
Posted: 17 July 2025, in News
Social Enterprise Scotland welcome the launch of the Civil Society Covenant, which rightly recognises social enterprises, alongside charities and faith groups, as essential partners in addressing Britain’s most urgent challenges.
Social enterprises are deeply rooted in their communities (of place and interest) bringing local knowledge, innovation, and trust. In Scotland, our thriving social enterprise ecosystem builds lasting, positive change across economic, social, and environmental spheres. We are ready to work in genuine partnership with the UK Government to ensure that this Covenant fosters shared power, resources, and accountability.
As the Covenant is implemented through the proposed Joint Civil Society Covenant Council, we urge that social enterprise voices from Scotland are fully represented. We firmly believe that embedding social enterprise as equal partners in decision-making isn’t merely an add-on and central to rebuilding stronger, fairer and more resilient communities across all of the UK.
We stand ready to support a Covenant that catalyses investment in local social economies and ensures that social enterprises are not only recognised but empowered to lead in the delivery of public services and community development. The test now lies in turning paper commitments into sustained, equitable and properly funded action – in Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland alike.