The aim is to develop confidence and learning within young people and provide them with skills which will hopefully help them into work or education.  

You are invited to join a team of young people, learn new skills and have fun in a relaxed setting. The outcome will be a new enterprise which exists to do good for people, the local community, and the environment.

This is your chance to play a key role in shaping a new social enterprise. 

The programme is aimed at 16-25 year olds and starts on 28 September 2016 - Find out more.

UHI Create Business Competition 2016
The Business Ideas Competition, organised by CREATE on behalf of Inverness College is now open for entries. 

The competition is open to everybody aged 16 or over living in the Highlands or Islands, Moray or Perthshire, or any student studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. It is very straightforward to enter, with only 4 questions to answer. And if you have more than one idea, why not submit them all? You may submit as many applications as you wish.

Completed entries must be received by close of business on 3 November 2016 to be eligible to win a share of the £8000 prize fund. Follow this link to enter your idea. 

Shortlisted candidates must be available on finals day, Thursday 24 November 2016, to come to Inverness College UHI to discuss their idea with a panel of expert judges and attend the prize giving event.

Social Investment Scotland - Free Ads
You may or may not be aware but for some free advertising - never to be sniffed at - Social Investment Scotland have a link on their website for all social enterprises to place their ads. This is to help all social enterprises to promote their business and/or to sell on-line. Follow this link and enjoy the perks of free advertising from today. 

Introducing...
...Kirsty MacColl from the Scottish Islands Federation.
The Scottish Islands Federation (SIF) began as a network in 2000 and aimed to bring together people living on the islands.  As the network grew so did its role in providing a collective voice on island issues and in 2007 it became a Federation.  

SIF is the only organisation in Scotland with an island-specific remit and they work to promote, publicise and advance the interests of Scotland’s islands. Kirsty is new to the role so please get in touch to promote your islands and your projects - Find out more on the website or contact Kirsty by email: kirsty@scottish-islands-federation.co.uk

Skye & Lochalsh Community Transport Event
Skye & Lochalsh CVO are hosting a community transport event next week to give communities, transport providers and groups an opportunity to look at the role electric vehicles can have in future transport requirements as well as other community transport initiatives.  If you are a user of community transport in Skye and Lochalsh this is your opportunity to make your views heard. Head along to the SLCVO Office, Tigh Lisigarry, Bridge Road, Portree on Thursday 22 September between 2pm and 4pm for this drop-in event. 

Tesco 'Bags of Help'
Great news - the Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme is now permanently open for applications.  So if you know a local greenspace that needs improving or want to run activities in outdoor green spaces this could be for you. 
 
There are also some other exciting changes. Projects that can be put forward for funding include physical improvements to outdoor spaces, green spaces and parks and activities on them. There is no match funding requirement and no restrictions on existing project funding.
 
Projects funded could include volunteer training, physical improvements of open spaces, equipment purchases, community events and sports and leisure activities.
 
Following a public vote in local Tesco stores, three projects in each of the Tesco regions will receive a grant each month, with first place receiving up to £5K, second place up to £2K and third place up to £1K.  
Bags of Help is administered by Groundwork, working in Scotland with greenspace scotland. Find out more and apply today.