**Edinburgh**: Social Enterprise Scotland is set to unveil its Supplier Catalogue, connecting businesses with Scotland’s social enterprises. The event, featuring Minister Tom Arthur, aims to enhance ethical procurement and local economic growth, showcasing services from over 100 organisations dedicated to social and environmental impact.
Social Enterprise Scotland is poised to launch its innovative Social Enterprise Scotland Supplier Catalogue at a dedicated event scheduled to take place in Edinburgh. This resource aims to bridge the gap between corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public sector organisations, and academic institutions, facilitating connections with high-quality products and services offered by Scotland’s burgeoning social enterprise sector.
The event will feature Tom Arthur, the Minister for Employment and Investment, who will officially introduce the Supplier Catalogue and underscore the significance of social enterprises in promoting inclusive economic growth and community development. Minister Arthur stated, “Social enterprises invest their profits into social and environmental causes to create jobs and support thriving communities. They contribute more than £2.6 billion to Scotland’s economy and support nearly 90,000 full-time employees.”
He further elaborated on recent legislative efforts to bolster community investment, explaining that a Community Wealth Building Bill has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. This legislation will mandate local authorities and public bodies, including NHS boards, to adopt measures aimed at enhancing local economies. These measures may incorporate promoting social enterprises and engaging with local businesses for procurement.
The Supplier Catalogue is being championed as a crucial instrument for fostering ethical procurement and responsible business practices. It encompasses a diverse array of offerings from over 100 organisations dedicated to generating social and environmental impact. The catalogue includes services ranging from catering and venue hire to design and manufacturing, acting as a comprehensive resource for businesses intent on aligning their purchasing decisions with their ethical values.
Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland, shared, “Social enterprises play a vital role in Scotland’s economy, reinvesting their profits into social and environmental causes. Our new Supplier Catalogue is an exciting initiative that will help organisations of all sizes discover and support businesses that put people and planet first.” Martin encouraged stakeholders to consider social enterprises as preferred suppliers, stating, “By choosing to purchase from social enterprises, we can all play a part in creating a fairer and more inclusive economy.”
The launch event will occur at The Grassmarket Community Project, a social enterprise actively supporting some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens. This venue was specifically chosen to exemplify the tangible impact of ethical procurement practices and the vibrant community spirit contained within Scotland’s social enterprise sector. Martin expressed optimism for the initiative, stating, “With this launch, we take another step towards embedding social enterprise at the heart of Scotland’s economy. We look forward to seeing businesses, public bodies, and individuals join us in making social enterprises the suppliers of choice.”
The Supplier Catalogue is set to be an impactful addition to Scotland’s economic landscape, providing a platform for ethical collaboration across various sectors.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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