GRANTS totalling £9.2 million were given out by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) last year.
And the organisation worked with and supported 1300 businesses, social enterprises and community groups in that time.
The figures are included in SOSE’s latest annual report and accounts, which highlight the investments and impacts the region’s community and economic development agency made between April 2023 and March 2024.
Of the 1300 enterprises which SOSE engaged with and supported, 152 received grants, while ‘significant investments’ totalling £13.7m were made into business and community enterprises, and a further £5.7m into 48 strategic projects to help transform the region.
Overall, these activities also helped safeguard 1316 jobs and create 377 posts locally.
The report also highlighted the key goals and objectives that have been met from SOSE’s five year plan, including launching a £1m Net Zero Accelerator Fund and a youth advisory forum; providing one-to-one support to 62 female and 24 youth-led businesses; support for 15 new or improved income-generating community assets; 34 community enterprises and nine charities supported; £6.7m worth of inward investment brought to South of Scotland; 61 start-up workshops delivered; the creation of a £24,000 Women and Young People Enterprise Scheme, supporting 25 businesses; and 106 clients supported to innovate.
Chief executive Jane Morrison-Ross, above, said: “SOSE continued to work hard to deliver on our goals and ambitions in 2023/24. We are determined to make the South of Scotland a rural economic powerhouse and a fair, green and flourishing place for all.
“Measuring the impact of what we do is key and we now have a baseline set of data to be measured against. We are working to capture innovative measures on wellbeing and generational return alongside the harder data.
“As expected, 2024/25 is proving to be a challenging year for all of us but we are absolutely committed to delivering success for the economy, environment and communities in the South of Scotland.”
Chair Russel Griggs OBE added: “While our accounts show the level of funding we provide, I am becoming increasingly convinced that a lot of our best help is coming in the form of advice, advocacy, expertise and focus on key infrastructure issues like housing.
“The expertise and knowledge we have through our staff is helping us to build lasting relationships with our communities and businesses.”
n To read the annual report and accounts, go to www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/resources/annual-accounts.
