Just Enterprise is a broad and comprehensive programme for the enterprising third sector, however, there are many other support organisations in Scotland that can offer additional or alternative help.
Browse providers by the categories below:
General Business Support
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Community Asset Development
Cybersecurity
Digital Skills and Data
Diversity and Inclusion
Net Zero
Tendering
Other
General Business Support
Business Gateway
Business Gateway provides free business support for anyone in Scotland who needs support to start-up and grow their businesses through one-to-one business advice, training and online resources.
‘Find Business Support’ Service
Find Business Support lists hundreds of public-sector business support services in Scotland – from grants and loans to advice, training, networking and sector-specific support – and makes it easy to find the right funding or support for your organisation.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
HIE works with private businesses, voluntary organisations and public bodies to improve the economy and quality of life in the Highlands and islands of Scotland.
Social Enterprise Scotland
SES is an independent, membership-led organisation that represents and supports more than 6,000 social enterprises in Scotland.
South of Scotland Enterprise
SOSE works across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, providing a range of services and support to help businesses and communities to realise their full potential.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Living with AI
Register for Living with AI’s free course designed for both individuals and organisations to demystify AI. Here you’ll discover what AI really is, how it’s already shaping your world, and gain the confidence to join the conversation.
Scottish AI Alliance (SAIA)
The Scottish AI Alliance is tasked with the delivery of Scotland’s AI strategy. Access their list of resources including their AI Playbook designed to help organisations navigate AI implementation responsibly and effectively.
AI Frameworks, Guides & Checklists (provided by SAIA)
Introduction to AI for the Third Sector
Guide to generative AI for Scotland’s voluntary sector
ICO Artificial intelligence (AI) and data protection
AI Checklist for Charity trustees and Leaders
Microsoft Introducing an AI governance framework for nonprofits
Policy Examples
Code Hope Labs – Sample LLM Policy
London Office of Technology & Innovation – Gen AI Guidance for Staff
BBC – AI Principles
Community Asset Development
Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS)’ Community Ownership Support Service (COSS)
DTAS COSS is a free adviser-led national service funded by the Scottish Government to support communities to take on community assets with 1:1 advice, training and online tools including business planning, governance, and facilities management. Visit their website if you’re considering taking on a community asset and would like support to do so.
Cybersecurity
Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland
Access the Cyber and Fraud Centre Resource library for cybersecurity tips, advice and best practice. You can also enquire about training and membership.
CyberScotland
Access CyberScotland’s website where you’ll find top tips for staff in staying safe under advice and guidance, their resource library filled with on-demand videos, useful guides, information and templates to improve your cyber resilience. You can also check out upcoming events and their dedicated section to third sector organisations.
Digital Skills and Data
Business Gateway
To find out where technology could fit into your organisation and improve your performance, profit and people Business Gateway provide a Digital Health Check and links to help access further support.
Additionally, book your place at one of Business Gateway’s local in-person workshops or online webinars via their event calendar, where you can get advice, hints and tips from their business advisers, share and learn with other participants.
Techscaler
If you have an idea, are considering or currently developing a tech start up, join Techscaler’s free membership offering resources, toolkits, mentoring, workspace and more.
The Data Lab
If you’d like to understand how data and AI can help gain insights and creatively tackle critical business and societal challenges, The Data Lab Academy may have what you’re looking for.
You can check out regional funding available through Data Lab’s Data Skills for Work programme, which is designed for working adults who want to upskill themselves in data to address the demands of increasingly digital workplaces.
Third Sector Lab
Workshops include getting started with Google Analytics 4 (GA4), embedding digital safeguarding policies, writing for the web, SEO, Google ads, digital strategy and more.
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise can support your digital transformation journey by helping to identify the best technological solutions for your business, whether it be cybersecurity, customer relationship management systems (CRMs), data and analytics. Check out their website and contact one of their digital transformation specialists for advice.
Diversity and Inclusion
Age Scotland
Age Scotland provide workplace training for promoting age inclusion in the workplace.
Deaf Action
Inclusion Scotland
Access Inclusion Scotland’s Employers Hub to ensure your business welcomes disabled people as equal and valued employees, starting from the recruitment process, onboarding and continuous support. This also includes information on internships and a jobs posting board.
Radiant and Brighter
Scottish Union for Supported Employment (SUSE)
The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Scotland
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)
Visibility Scotland
Visibility Scotland’s Visibility Trading and Training provides training services to help businesses support vision-impaired people, whether employees or clients – https://visibilityscotland.org.uk/services/training/
Net Zero
Growing Climate Confidence
Developed for the Third Sector by the Third Sector, take this simple check-up that identifies areas to improve your sustainability and suggests some steps to take starting from low effort, high impact. The website also has useful resources, case studies and links to funding support.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Climate Springboard
If you are based in the Highlands and Islands and want to explore how to make your business more sustainable, sign up to Highland and Island Enterprise’s fully funded 6 week Climate Springboard programme to baseline your carbon footprint, develop a net zero action plan and access resources.
Net Zero Scotland
Access readily available resources and toolkits from Scotland’s circular economy public body to help your business make the transition to net zero.
Tendering
Supplier Development Programme
The Supplier Development Programme offers free expert training, support and information to help you win public sector contracts and grow your business, including support with community benefits, Fair Work, Net Zero. Visit their website to access resources, templates, register for workshops and upcoming ‘Meet the Buyer’ events.
Other
Accelerate
Accelerate is a support programme for the Third Sector and community organisations. Support is free and aims to help groups and organisations become more sustainable and enterprising.
Co-operative Development Scotland
CDS provides support to companies and community groups across Scotland that want to adopt an inclusive business model such as employee ownership and co-operative business models.
Inspiring Scotland Specialist Volunteer Network
Inspiring Scotland’s Specialist Volunteer Network (SVN) connects over 500 professional volunteers with Scottish third sector organisations, offering free expert support in areas such as legal, financial, marketing and IT.
Sported
Sported is a free membership programme that supports and resources grassroots sports clubs to create social impact and positively shape the communities they serve.