RenSEN Newsletter - 30 June

Here’s what’s ‘up and coming’ in the world of social enterprise…

• Don't forget! If you want to be included in the next Renfrewshire Third Sector Wellbeing Directory, you’ll need to complete the form by Wednesday 1st July.  Go to this link for more details.
• Here’s what’s new on the training calendar…AI marketing for small businesses (06.07), Renfrewshire Women in Business Networking Session (28.07), How to build a digital marketing plan (04.08), Charitable Trading (10.08), Meet the Funder: Postcode Lottery’ (10.08), HR: the essentials (18.08), Meet the Funder: Social Investment Scotland (01.09), How to build your professional voice online (03.09)
• RenCAN ‘run free, practical workshops across Renfrewshire to help local groups explore climate action’. Find out more…visit the RenCAN website or contact Scott Duncan via email: learn@renfrewshireclimate.scot 
• Need support to secure funding for your projects? Tell us more! Renfrewshire Council’s Funding & Development Officer is asking local third sector organisations to complete an online survey to better understand the sector’s training needs.  Click here to access the survey Training Needs Survey for Third Sector Organisations: Securing Funding for Projects 2026 – Fill in form
• New RenSEN member, Harmony Global for Humanitarian Action CIC supports ‘communities through employability, entrepreneurship, digital skills, AI literacy, and community empowerment, helping people build confidence, skills, and access to opportunities’. To foster connections, the organisation will be hosting a Harmony Global Community Networking & Collaboration Event on Monday 06 July 2026 (10:30-12:30). If you would like to attend, please complete this registration form: https://forms.gle/FeZGMUvdwaLfrsnm6
• Did you know Google offers free ads to charities? Book a place on this webinar to find out more (02.07).
• Leadership training…Starting September 2026 – Register now for this Just Enterprise development programme designed to support Aspiring New Leaders (fees apply).  For established managers, take a look at this Coaching Approach to Leadership course commencing January 2027 (fees apply).
• Funding opportunities – Business Development Grant (Renfrewshire Council), Social Enterprise Grant Fund (Renfrewshire Council), Business Restart Loan (Renfrewshire Council).

Subsidy Control 

Subsidy control explained: a practical guide for voluntary organisations (and commissioners, grant-makers and public sector officers)
 
When: Wed 15 July 2026, 12-1pm
Where: Online using Zoom
 
This webinar is aimed at anyone working in the voluntary sector or public sector with an interest in public funding and subsidy control, including charity leaders, finance staff, policy officers, trustees.
 
The event will also be relevant to commissioners, grant-makers and public sector officers responsible for designing or administering funding programmes. 
 
About the Webinar:
Subsidy control is the set of rules that may need to be considered when public bodies provide funding to voluntary organisations and other recipients. 
Understanding when these rules apply — and when they do not — can be challenging for both voluntary organisations and the public bodies that fund them. 
 
To help organisations navigate this complex area, SCVO has worked in partnership with Brodies, with input from Third Sector Interfaces across Scotland, to develop a practical guide for the voluntary sector. 
 
Join us for a discussion on what subsidy control means in practice, alongside the publication of the new guidance. 
 
We will hear from: 

• David Livey, Policy and Research Manager, SCVO 
• Jamie Dunne, Competition, Legal Director, Procurement and Subsidy Control Lawyer, Brodies LLP 
• Dr Lesley Kelly, Chief Officer, Midlothian Community Action 

Speakers will discuss when subsidy control rules apply, when they do not, and some of the practical challenges that voluntary organisations and public bodies encounter when navigating public funding arrangements.  There will also be an opportunity for participants to ask questions and share their own experiences. 
 Book your place at this link: Subsidy control explained: a practical guide for voluntary organisations - booking - SCVO

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

 All courses are free unless stated otherwise


01 July – Social media essentials (TikTok / Instagram) (online / Business Gateway)
06 July – How to create engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
06 July – AI marketing for small businesses (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
14 July – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
15 July – AI for small businesses (online / Business Gateway)
16 July – How to plan and schedule online content (online / Business Gateway)
16 July - Streamline your workflow (webinar / Third Sector Lab)
17 July – Introduction to business websites (online / Business Gateway)
20 July – AI for small business (online / Business Gateway)
21 July – Social media essentials: Facebook (online / Business Gateway)
23 July – Using TikTok for business (sales) (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire
04 August – How to build a digital marketing plan (online / Business Gateway)
05 August – Introduction to Canva (online / Business Gateway)
18 August – Inspire action and engagement through email marketing (online / Third Sector Lab)


24 August – Recruiting Board Members (online / Just Enterprise)


28 July – Facilities Management: Operational Budgets For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
25 August – Facilities Management: Fire Safety For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS)
28 August & 04 September – Facilities Management Training 2026 (2 day course) For organisations engaged with DTAS / Community Ownership Support Service (online / COSS) Waiting list in operation
13 and 19 November - Facilities Management Training 2026 A 2 day course for DTAS members (online / DTAS/COSS) Waiting list in operation


08 July - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
14 July – How to build your brand (online / Business Gateway)
22 July – Low cost high impact marketing (online / Business Gateway)
28 July – Renfrewshire Women in Business Network (in-person / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
30 July – Starting a business: The basics (online / Business Gateway)
06 August – How to create engaging content (online / Business Gateway)
11 August – How to build your brand (online / Business Gateway)
18 August – HR: the essentials (online / Business Gateway)
19 August – Low cost, high impact marketing (online / Business Gateway)
25 August – The basics of starting a business (online / Business Gateway)
23 September - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
29 September – Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
13 October - Winning grants from trusts and foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
02 December - Writing a successful funding application (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply


21 July – Introduction to business strategy (online / Business Gateway)
10 August – Building your business plan step by step (online / Business Gateway)


12 July – Introduction to social impact measurement (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply


23 July – How to generate and increase sales (online / Business Gateway)
10 August – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
20 August – Introduction to fundraising (online / SCVO) Fees apply
31 August – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)