Policy blog

Today the SCDI published the report and recommendations from the The Business Purpose Commission for Scotland. As a member of the Commission, I found the discussion fascinating in exploring the role of the public, private and voluntary sectors in delivering economic, social and... Read more

Foundation Scotland has been exploring the role of funders in tackling the root cause of problems rather than paying for lots of sticking plasters Read more

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison argues for a broader view of what it means to be a prosperous economy and advocates for the role of the third sector in supporting that. Read more

Alastair Davis argues that the social enterprise sector can only achieve exponential growth in economic impact through mainstream its products and services within consumer and B2B markets. Read more

Neil McInroy explains how Community Wealth Building could provide the practical answer to transforming Scotland's economic system Read more

Professor Iain Black argues the third sector must help disrupt the existing growth focused economic goal to ensure social and environmental goals are achieved. Read more

Sandy Macdonald on some of the ways the third sector is helping the business sector achieve economic success Read more

We have never attempted to estimate the overall economic contribution of the third sector. Professor Mairi Spowage of the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) explains what it's doing to change that Read more

Social businesses are stepping in when markets fail bringing £165m and more than 7000 full time jobs to the Highlands and Islands Read more

Bringing together the innovative thinking and ethos of Scotland’s incredible charities and social enterprises with the innovation ecosystem in our universities and colleges can help to spark a new wave of third sector services Read more

Ian Marr explains how Social Impact Investment brings together the skills, experience and strengths of the public, private and social sectors to work together for the common good. Read more

Susan McGhee explains how social enterprise Flexible Childcare Scotland is disrupting the childcare industry from within. Read more

We need a Wellbeing Economy so that we can focus on delivering the things that make life worthwhile rather than just the things that make life possible. Read more

Rami Okasha explains why Children’s Hospices Across Scotland decided to measure the economic impact of its work in 2021. Read more

The voluntary sector – which empowers citizens, sustains wellbeing and advocates for change – is undoubtedly a super sector: striving for progress towards social, economic, environmental and democratic outcomes  Read more

Anoushka Kenley, research and policy director at Pro Bono Economics explores the true value of the voluntary sector Read more

Julia Unwin outlines five ways that civil society plays an essential role in the economy Read more

The First Minister sets out the Scottish Government’s policy stall for the year ahead At the beginning of each September, the Scottish Government delivers its Programme for Government; a sort of mini manifesto for the year ahead, which sets out new legislation, spending... Read more