Case Studies

Green Hive Nairn exchange visit on sustainable fashion

Zero waste fashion solutions!

People watching a fashion show with models lined up on a flight of stairs.

The exchange supported shared urban and rural approaches to recycled fabric projects.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learning from others about their journey in creating sustainable enterprises
  • Which products and services can be factored into social enterprise business planning to support a move towards zero waste
  • A more cohesive group of volunteers with a shared vision on a future waste marketing strategy for growth out with Nairn
  • A space of inspiration to see what can be achieved through increased connections.

Community Organisation:
Green Hive Nairn

Exchange Host Partners:
Psychomoda & Edinburgh Remakery

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Scottish Communities Climate Action Network

"The exchange meant 4 volunteers and 2 staff were able to learn first hand the work that goes into developing sustainable fashion and build new connections with sustainable designers. Our volunteers left Edinburgh filed with ideas, future projects and fully inspired for the next chapter of fabrics at Green Hive."

Case Studies

Cromarty Development Trust exchange visit to Loch Ewe Action Forum

Community plans and engagement.

A large group of people sitting outside a community building

The exchange supported to scope the breadth, diversity, growth through learning about the range of GALEs projects/work/remit – including operation and resourcing of community buildings and assets.

Learning Outcomes

  • Community plan and engagement – identifying how GALE’s community plan/work has previously impacted on the community and the ways the community were involved in the journey
  • Gaining a better understanding of succession and business planning
  • Hearing about the harsh realities and barriers faced.

Community Organisation:
Cromarty Community Development Trust

Exchange Host Partners:
Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE)

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Development trust Association Scotland

"A hugely informative and useful day. Learning and exchanging with GALE saved us months of research and reading and has allowed us to get clear about what's possible for us as a Trust, as well as where we need to focus our strategic priorities."

Case Studies

Aberdeen social enterprise cafés

Lar are embarking on a new venture in three of its developments, with plans to open café in each location.

three people, smiling, standing outside a shop called the Bread Maker

These cafés will be based on a social enterprise business model and the visit to Aberdeen was very helpful in terms of how to get such an operation off the ground.

Learning Outcomes

  • To learn from the experience of the host on how to design, develop and maintain a successful cafe operation using a social enterprise model.
  • To learn from the host on how to target their customers.
  • To learn from the host about the impact and the benefits they bring to their community by providing such a service, and seek their views on what they would change (if anything) when setting up the business.

Community Organisation:
Lar Housing Trust

Exchange Host Partners:
The Bread Maker Café

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

“We hope to replicate many of the things the Breadmaker Café has in place. As a social enterprise model, the Breadmaker Café is the gold standard. We were able to gain an understanding of every aspect of setting up and running a catering operation which, like many struggled post-Covid.”

Case Studies

Cairngorms National Park exchanges

Six exchanges were offered in the Badenoch and Strathspey area of the Cairngorms National Park.

people sitting around a table listening to a person speak. The table has a board game on it surrounded by paperwork, glasses and jugs of water

45 community activists with an interest or already involved in community tourism. Each host provided talks and/or tours showcasing projects, funding packages, operational models, staff resourcing and key lessons learned.

Learning Outcomes

  • Gain a better appreciation of what others are achieving under the chosen theme, the operational models they use and solutions they have found to different challenges
  • Learn about what others have done in response to covid and recovery, the issues they have faced and the opportunities they have seized
  • Develop and apply learnings that are relevant to circumstances

Community Organisation:
SCOTO network members

Exchange Host Partners:
Discovery Centre - Hostel and dark Skies Park, Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust, Aviemore and Glenmore Trust, Strathspey Community Connxions, Strathspey Railway association, Badaguish Outdoor Centre & Speyside Trust

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
SCOTO community Tourism Network

Case Studies

Thurso Community Pantry

This learning exchange allowed both organisations to gain more knowledge about Community Pantries, sharing food, and growing food in rural communities.

Two peopel standing outside a building that has wood on the walls, with two doors and red roof

The benefit to Thurso will be a successful Community Pantry which is a development of existing Sharing Shed, with additional support to the community eg advice. This will also allow staff from both organisations to meet and make links – although this is a neighbouring organisation it is some distance away.

Learning Outcomes

  • To learn about the operational running and management of a Community Pantry
  • To learn what additional activities around the Pantry have been of most benefit to the community, eg cooking lessons, advice sessions etc
  • To share our knowledge of community growing with the KoS project

Community Organisation:
Thurso Community Development Trust

Exchange Host Partners:
Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
DTAS

“On the journey home we spent most it planning our project, incorporating some of what we had seen in Ardgay, but also what we would adapt to suit our area and circumstances.”

Case Studies

Transition from building project to social enterprise

The Old School Thornhill is in its transition phase, from being a building project to running a social enterprise and a development trust.

a room with high ceilings, lighting rig, brickwalls and some furtniture

A SCIO in the very early stages of developing structures.

Learning Outcomes

  • To evaluate current structures and governance to decide how best to structure
  • To consider appropriate staff and salary structures
  • To learn about the pitfalls of this stage of development

Community Organisation:
Old School Thornhill

Exchange Host Partners:
GCat

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Development Trust Association Scotland

“Our exchange with GCat has been extremely beneficial for us. We have decided to mirror the model GCat uses in terms of the development Trust being the over-arching body and our building’s activities being under this umbrella.”

Case Studies

LGBTQ+ leadership in the SE space

The exchange focussed on learning from other SE’s by sharing some of the challenges and solutions of being an LGBTQ+ leader in the SE space.

a graphic of the Pride Outside Leadership Gathering.

The purpose was the development of an LGBTQ+ SE supplier chain and support the development of partnership working.

Learning Outcomes

  • Peer learning and partnership working
  • Connection to the SE sector- for LGBTQ+ SEs to build relationships with support organisations to encourage more LGBTQ+ SEs to be part of the sector.
  • To develop an LGBTQ+ Community Network which meet regularly to skill share and mentor new organisations joining the sector.

Community Organisation:
Pride Outside

Exchange Host Partners:
LGBTQ+ focussed SE’s

SCA Endorsing Network Member:
Social Enterprise Scotland

“This exchange has helped inform our direction of travel by highlighting what people need in terms of support- such as developing an informal mentoring programme and the establishment of a formal LGBTQ+ SE leadership course.”