Empowering endings: a skill share and peer learning series for Scottish civil society infrastructure practitioners

In recent discussions, Scottish civil society infrastructure organisations and some funders have highlighted a need to give greater attention to how civil society organisations approach endings, whether it be project closures, leadership transitions, organisational mergers or organisational shutdowns. 

In three sessions between January and March 2025 we will provide a dedicated space for those offering hands-on support to charities, social enterprises, and other civil society groups to step back, reflect, and strategise. Together, we will explore effective ways to address perceived crises while fostering proactive, pre-crisis interventions that meet the needs of a changing civil society.

This short series of events is a response to the significant changes increasingly evident across civil society, affecting individuals and organisations in various roles and settings. Insolvencies and crisis-driven closures appear to be on the rise, while upstream transitions such as succession planning, orderly closures, and the winding down of programmes and projects are also widespread. 

As part of explorations of a broader, long-term partnership aimed at building capacity in this area, these events will provide an opportunity for deeper, reciprocal learning on the subject, a mapping of existing support, and any gaps that exist in what’s available or in areas of expertise. 

Over the course of 3 sessions together in early 2025, we will:

• Map the current needs of Scottish civil society organisations around transitions and endings, exploring the challenges and opportunities they face
• Share practical knowledge, tools, and experiences related to effective transitions, including best practices for ensuring 'good' endings and mapping the available support structures
• Identify synergies and gaps in existing processes, policies, and cultural approaches to organisational endings, fostering a shared understanding of what works and what needs improvement
• Strengthen relationships and peer support networks to enable ongoing collaboration and shared learning in supporting endings and transitions
• Explore future funding and support mechanisms required to boost capacity and address gaps identified during the event

PLEASE NOTE: ATTENDEES SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME TO ALL THREE SESSIONS

Kick off: the first session will be ONLINE on Wednesday 22 January 2025 at 10am to 12pm

Deep dive: the second IN-PERSON session will take place in Glasgow on Thursday 20 February 2025 at 9.30am to 4.30pm at Brodies LLP, 110 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3BX

Wash up: the third session will be ONLINE on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 10am to 12pm

The staff of infrastructure organisations who work in practical roles that support, champion and advocate with, and for, Scottish charities, CICs, social enterprises, etc.