Accelerate
Accelerate provides free support and guidance to community groups in Scotland to help them become more entrepreneurial and strengthen their financial sustainability.
The programme offers up to 6 days of flexible 1:1 support, tailored to each organisation's needs.
Accelerate is delivered by Community Enterprise, with funding from the Scottish Government.
Who can apply
The Accelerate programme is for groups who are:
- Based in Scotland and delivering benefits in Scotland
- Asset locked (non profit distributing)
- Constituted or pre-constituted
- Non trading (not taking a social enterprise or commercial approach)
- Willing to make change to their organisation to become more sustainable
Not sure if you're eligible? Complete our short expression of interest form and we can advise.
What support is available
Accelerate provides up to 6 days of flexible 1:1 support, tailored to each group's specific needs.
For example, groups have used Accelerate to:
- Develop marketing plans
- Explore funding options
- Test new trading ideas
- Improve financial planning and budgeting
- Strengthen branding
- Develop a business plan
- Strengthen their board
- Review their legal structure
- Identify digital solutions
How to apply
If you would like to apply for support through our Accelerate programme, please fill out our simple online expression of interest form.
After you apply
After you submit your expression of interest form, we will check your information and confirm your eligibility. At this stage, you may be asked for further details.
If you are eligible
If eligible, you will be assigned an Accelerate advisor who will get in touch to find out more about your project and what support would be most useful.
You will then agree an action plan together, with the support carried out in a timeframe that suits you.
After your Accelerate project comes to an end, we will continue to keep in touch over time to check how things are going.
If you are not eligible
If we find you are not currently eligible for Accelerate, we will work with you to help you find the right support elsewhere.
Accelerate case studies
Explore how we’ve supported organisations through Accelerate and the impact achieved.
Glenuig Community Inn
Business plan, engagement and funding guidance for the asset transfer and development of Glenuig Inn
Afristyle Dance Club
Development plan and review of existing governance to meet organisation’s ambitions and demand for services
Friends of Campsie High Kirk
Establishment of a charity and the creation of a business plan to support community ownership of Campsie High Kirk
Berwickshire Marine Reserve
Development of a three year strategy, laying out the direction of travel and the priorities for the organisation
Big Kids Little Learners
Three year strategic plan to transition from a sole trader structure to a social enterprise
Carrick History Society
Support with marketing and building a new website and generating ideas for new income streams and expansion of services
Dalmeny Kirk
5-year action plan to build on existing activities, extend services to the local community and generate increased income
Davidson Legacy Cottage
Identifying funding opportunities to purchase an important part of local social heritage and developing a strategy for broader engagement and sustainable income generation
Early Years Scotland
Support to diversify income streams, explore a social enterprise model and reduce dependency on grant funding
Glenkens Community & Arts Trust
Generating ideas for expansion of current trading activities and considering additional possibilities which fit with the organisation’s resources
Held in Our Hearts
Impact report, understanding the difference made by the work of the charity and highlighting gaps or unmet needs
Hollandbush Golf Club
Navigation of the community asset transfer process and support creating a business plan to save a community golf course from closure
Hope for Autism
Development of a training model to support long term sustainability for a charity dedicated to supporting autistic people and their families
Lanark Men's Shed
Support with a business plan, member survey and new website
Laxdale Community Association (LCA)
Business plan, funding advice and support to save and renovate Laxdale Community Hall
Newtongrange Development Trust
Action plan for the asset transfer of the local bowling green and pavilion for community development and creation of a business case exploring the opportunities available
Paws on Plastic
Two phases of support, one to create a 3-year action plan and a second to review marketing and communications for charity Paws on Plastic
Alva Development Trust
Digital marketing audit and funding strategy for Alva Development Trust
Sanday Business Forum
SWOT analysis and strategy review for a collaboration of local businesses hoping to support economic growth and employment opportunities in an island community
Anstruther Improvements Association
Delivery of a full strategic review
Arbroath Courthouse Trust
Digital marketing audit and recommendations for the development of social media, website and online tools
Bigton Kirk
Business plan and costed drawings to support an asset transfer of Bigton Kirk
BRAG Enterprises
Developing a marketing strategy for a new community hub in Leven in Fife
Cree Valley Area Development Trust
Community consultation, feasibility study and options appraisal for a potential asset transfer
Cambusbarron Village Nursery CIC
Supporting an organisation in transitioning into a CIC and its options for future sustainability
Inverkeithing Town House: Building the skills to manage a community asset
Bespoke training delivered on how to manage a community asset for Inverkeithing Town House
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North West Edinburgh CLIP Consortia
Procrurement support and business planning support for a new Edinburgh consortia of social enterprises
Glow Impact CIC
Delivered a digital marketing audit reviewed the organisation's website and social media – and provided guidance on fundraising strategy.
St Oswald's Centre
Developing a business and strategic plan for the longer term sustainability of St Oswald’s Centre in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh.
The Tower Digital Arts Centre
Delivery of a business plan alongside a public awareness and fundraising campaign.
Stay up to date
Want to learn more about how we can help your organisation or community group?
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