Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme
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The impact of this programme
The 1,350 social entrepreneurs supported by the first five years of the programme have benefited the lives of 328,000 people – that’s more than the entire population of Coventry! They also created 4,000 jobs (full-time equivalent).
More about the programme
This programme has helped people to start up, build and scale social enterprises, charities, community projects and impact-led organisations.
Social entrepreneurs on this programme receive:
- A free learning programme, shaped by your needs, to help you adapt to a post-Covid new normal
- A grant (£1,000 – £7,000)
- A mentor
- A supportive community of peers in a similar role to you
The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme is run in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs, and jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
There are three programme levels:
Start Up
- The project is in the planning stages but ready to start, or less than two years old. It makes £0 – £15,000 a year.
- You want to learn how to establish your organisation.
- Find out more
Trade Up
- The project has been running for at least a year.
- It makes at least £15,000 a year.*
- Find out more
Scale Up
- The project was probably established two or more years ago, and probably has two or more paid members of staff.
- It makes at least £75,000 a year (no upper limit).*
- Find out more
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
We encourage and welcome applications from social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and are looking to make a real difference to the lives of their local communities. We want to make sure this programme supports communities that face systemic barriers.
We welcome applications from everyone with priority given to:
- those working in deprived areas
- people of colour and from minoritised ethnic backgrounds
- disabled people
- LGBTQ+ people
- and/or organisations supporting these groups.
No educational qualifications are needed to join this programme.
FAQs
What’s the deadline?
Applications have now closed
Is this really free?
Yes! You can use the grant for your project’s running costs and to pay for travel and subsistence to support you in attending the learning programme.
The learning programme and mentoring is fully funded, thanks to funding from our partners Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Government and The National Lottery Community Fund. The School for Social Entrepreneurs is a charity.
Who can apply?
We can help you at all stages: whether you have just an idea, you’re already up-and-running, or you’re ready to scale. There are more detailed criteria for each programme level via the links above.
Inclusivity is one of our core values, and everyone is welcome at SSE, including people who are long-term unemployed, ex-offenders, people with disabilities and people of all abilities. You don’t need any educational qualifications for this programme.
