Topic outline

  • General


  • Steps to Sustainability

    • The Social Enterprise Academy’s ‘Steps to Sustainability’ project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will support the development of heritage organisations across the UK to strengthen their strategic leadership and income-generating skills. The project will involve approximately 60 organisations and 120 individuals from across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England.

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      Programme Details

      Starting in January 2021, the entire project will run until March 2023 and is focussed on developing the leadership capacity and entrepreneurial mind-set of leaders in museum and heritage organisations, bringing them together to learn and build strong and lasting relationship. Delivering the programmes across the UK will enable cross-fertilisation of ideas among organisations at different stages of development.

      During the programme, participants will develop an idea for an income generating enterprise which will support the sustainability of their heritage organisation; moving through a series of facilitated sessions, webinars and case study exploration whilst connecting with and learning from peers across their region and more widely across the UK.

      Participating organisations can apply for seed funding and further match funding of up to £10,000 to incentivise increased trading income during and immediately after the programme.  Following the seed funding grants stage, participants will move into their project growth stage where they will continue to have access to support through coaching or mentoring, to ensure the success of their new business idea.


      Who is the programme for?

      We are inviting two members of staff, ideally one is a trustee/board member, from museum and heritage organisations across the UK, who are in a position to help enhance the sustainability of their organisation and lead in a way that helps to generate and diversify their heritage organisation’s income.


      When does the programme start?

      Round 1 applications will open early November 2020 to start late January 2021.  Round 2 applications will open in February 2021 for programmes starting in May 2021.


      What will this programme help to achieve?

      • Help organisations build their organisational resilience
      • Strengthen leadership capacity and in particular business and strategic thinking skills and development
      • Help organisations build strong and meaningful partnerships working
      • Develop skills to diversify income streams including retail, fundraising and social investment
      • Develop boards to be more entrepreneurial
      • Attract and engage new and different audiences
      • Connect with the wider local community
      • Support volunteers and staff in enterprise and commercialisation


      I can honestly say that the SEA programme I attended has been one of the most important learning journeys in my career" Previous Learner

       

      The project will be led and managed by Social Enterprise Academy Scotland and Social Enterprise Academy Wales (operated by Creating Enterprise CIC in partnership with Wales Co-operative Centre).

      The project will also be supported by sector partners - Association of Independent Museums, Museums Galleries Scotland, Northern Ireland Museums Council and The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.



      To register interest and to be notified when applications open, complete your details here:

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      More Information

       Contact: Donna Petrie 

       Email: stos@socialenterprise.academy