RenSEN Newsletter - 25 February

Social Enterprise News

• Save-The-Date / RenSEN In-person Meeting (Thursday 20 March) – Come along to the next in-person meet-up of the Renfrewshire Social Enterprise Network.  Venue: Loud n Proud’s Music Hub (The Kerr Building, William Street, Paisley. PA1 2LZ)  The session starts at 6:30pm (till 8:30pm).  Contact Iain Cunningham, Engage Renfrewshire to book your place.
• Trustee / Director Responsibilities – This watch-again webinar from Just Enterprise covers key points of director/trustee responsibilities.

Dates for your Diary 

• Firstport Grant / Build It – Online info sessions are scheduled for: 20 March 2025 / 15 April 2025 / 22 April 2025
• Firstport Grant / Start It – Online surgeries to answer your questions about Firstport’s Start It programme.  Surgery dates are: 11 March 2025 / 08 April 2025
• Research Conference: Perspectives on Scotland’s third sector impact 11 June 2025/University of Glasgow - A free interactive facilitated event promoting dialogue between academics and voluntary sector practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders from a broad range of third sector organisations.
• Human Learning Systems (HLS) – Have you heard of Human Learning Systems? This Social Enterprise Scotland event on 25 March will explain more.

Social Enterprise Learning Webinars (for social enterprises at all stages)

Enhancing Digital Skills
26 February – Cyber Security Essentials: Renfrewshire (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
12 March – Cyber security for social enterprises (online / Social Enterprise Scotland)
14 March – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
19 March – Social Media Essentials: Instagram (online / Business Gateway)
20 March – Effective use of social media (online / Business Gateway)
25 March – Social Media Essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
25 March – Introduction to Wordpress - Renfrewshire (online / Business Gateway)
27 March – How to build your brand (online / Business Gateway)
28 March – Tiktok and Instagram Reels (online / Business Gateway)

 
Governance & Leadership
27 February – Renfrewshire Women in Business Network Meeting (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
11 March – Roles and Responsibilities of Directors and Trustees (online / Just Enterprise)
20 March – Renfrewshire Women in Business Network Meeting (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
13 May – Running effective board meetings (online / SCVO) Fees apply
20 May – Good governance: Defining strategy, culture and values (online / SCVO) Fees apply
27 May – Board and staff relationships (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Social Enterprise Essentials
26 February  – A young person’s guide to starting a business (online / Business Gateway)
26 February – Cyber Security Essentials Renfrewshire (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
27 February – Be report-writing ready (online / SCVO) Fees apply
27 February – Finding, keeping and looking after staff (online / Business Gateway)
03 March  – How to write funding applications (online / Business Gateway)
05 March – Working with corporates (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
06 March – How to write funding applications (online / Business Gateway)
18 March – Testing to improve service delivery (online / SCVO Free)
25 March  – How to learn from mistakes (online / SCVO Free)
07 May – Plan, measure and report social impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply
05 June – Introduction to safeguarding (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Business Planning
12 March – Business Planning Renfrewshire (online / Business Gateway)
19 March – Step by step to building your business plan (online / Business Gateway)


Monitoring and Evaluation
04 and 11 March 2025 - Analysing and Reporting Outcomes (online / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply


Income Generation/Procurement
04 March 2025 – Introduction to tendering (online / Just Enterprise)
18 March 2025 – Funding business growth (online / Just Enterprise)

 

Public Contracts Scotland

Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) Third Sector Identifier Changes Launch

The Scottish Government has introduced important changes to Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) making it easier for third sector organisations to identify themselves and be found by public sector buyers – opening up new opportunities to bid for and win public sector contracts.

What is PCS?

Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is the national procurement platform where Scottish public sector bodies advertise contract opportunities. Through PCS, suppliers can register their business, create supplier finder profiles, and access opportunities including Quick Quote requests (i.e. for any contract opportunities that are under £50,000) from public sector buyers. The platform plays a vital role in connecting public sector buyers with potential suppliers, including third sector organisations.

What has changed?

The updates to PCS include:

• A simplified process for third sector organisations to identify themselves when registering
• Enhanced search functionality allowing buyers to specifically find third sector suppliers
• Integration of third sector identification within the Quick Quote system
• Improved data collection to track engagement and impact

Why is this important?

These changes will help:

• Make it easier for third sector organisations to register and be found on PCS
• Enable public sector buyers to better identify and engage with third sector suppliers
• Support increased participation of third sector organisations in public procurement
• Generate better data on third sector engagement in public procurement

What action should third sector organisations take?

If you’re a third sector organisation:

1. Register on PCS if you haven’t already. When you do so, select that you are a third sector organisation and an SME. If applicable, you can also select supported business.
2. Update your searchable supplier finder profile, highlighting the goods and services you provide to maximise visibility.
3. Press publish. 

Where can I find support?

Support is available through:

• How-to guides and videos: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/helpandresources/userguides 
• Webinars and training sessions
• One-to-one support at  Public Contracts Scotland Supplier Profile Changes – CEIS

Follow CEIS Group on social media for updates and information about support available:

Bluesky: https://ceisgroup.bsky.social/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceis-group