Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern & Leith, has launched a £1m lending scheme to offer investment and support to early stage social ventures across Scotland.
Power Up, pioneered by Big Issue Invest Scotland, is funded by partners Aberdeen Standard Investments, University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Government with legal support from Brodies.
It will enable up to 20 Scottish social ventures to access loan funding of up to £50k each over the next two years.
And the programme will assist groups in buying equipment, hiring new talent or progressing with business development plans.
Mr Macpherson said: “This initiative is going to make a meaningful and positive impact across so many communities in Scotland,.”
Successful applicants will also receive mentoring and business development support to social ventures for the two year period.
The programme has been designed for early-stage social ventures, social enterprises, charities and private enterprises.
Visit www.bigissueinvest/powerup to register an interest.
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