This year’s Summit includes an opportunity for you to shape the discussions of your day through three facilitated breakout sessions. Here’s all you need to know about each session to best make your decision on which to attend.
Session A: Demystifying Social Investment
Session B: Conversations and Clarity
Session C: From Procurement to Community Wealth: Unlocking NHS Scotland’s Buying Power
Remember, the sessions are first-come, first-served, so if you have a favourite – get your ticket soon! We will be in touch with you shortly after purchasing your ticket for your selection.
Session A: Demystifying Social Investment
This session will bring together experts from Democratic Finance Scotland, Firstport, Foundation Scotland, Social Investment Scotland (SIS) and The Venture Labs to give delegates a practical look at the current funding and investment landscape. The goal is to demystify social investment and help social enterprises make informed choices about the right capital at the right time. Social enterprises are operating in a tighter and more complex funding landscape. Grants are harder to secure and far more competitive. They still matter, but relying on them alone can leave organisations exposed. At the same time, repayable finance is becoming more common, whether that’s loans, revenue-linked finance or quasi-equity. Blended models are also growing, combining grant and loan to make investment more workable. This session will help social enterprises understand what these options mean in practice, when they’re appropriate, and how to use them with confidence.
Session B: Conversations and Clarity
Harriet Dodd (Director, TopHat Discovery) returns this year, working alongside our membership team for an interactive and engaging session – to get you thinking, connecting and sharing ideas.
Through guided prompts, we’ll consider ourselves, our businesses and the challenges that are taking up space in our head. Using the wisdom in the room, we’ll swap insights, spark new connections, and explore how we can strengthen the social enterprise community together.
Join us for conversation and clear thinking.
Session C: From Procurement to Community Wealth: Unlocking NHS Scotland’s Buying Power
NHS Scotland is one of the largest public sector buyers in the country, with significant potential to contribute to community wealth building through its procurement decisions. This session will explore how a Buy Social approach can move beyond cost and compliance to deliver wider social, economic and community benefits.
Through a mix of real-life examples, system insight and interactive discussion, participants will consider how procurement can be used more intentionally to support social enterprises, strengthen local economies, and deliver meaningful social value.
Any questions?
Please email: nia.evans@socialenterprise.scot