SSEC aims to provide a strong co-ordinated voice for the sector by representing the views and work of our members to government and key institutions.

Our members and associates are part of a growing network of organisations helping to influence social enterprise policy at both local and national levels. Our range of members and associates is diverse and includes:

• large national umbrella organisations, for example, The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Social Firms Scotland,
• social enterprises, large and small, well established and new starters such as Smilechildcare, Kibble, Forth Sector and Aberdeen Foyer
• and local social enterprise networks, councils; think tanks; banks, individual supporters and more.

Despite their broad range, they share a common purpose: social enterprise is a way of promoting positive social change. The SSEC:

• promotes wider recognition of the benefits of social enterprise through the inspiring examples of members in publications and case studies
• encourages networks to help people in the field meet each other, sharing useful practice through our events
• influences government, business and public institutions by drawing on the experience of our members and associates to develop progressive policy positions

SSEC operates two categories of membership:

Members Members are intermediary or 'second tier' organisations that exist to support or develop social enterprise in Scotland. Membership is open to any organisation that meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Any national or regional intermediary organisation which represents, brings together or provides a support or development function within the social enterprise sector
• Any body which is a social enterprise or supports social enterprise
• Any individual who operates a social enterprise

Associates Any individual or body who/which supports social enterprise is eligible to become an Associate.

Member and Associate benefits include:

• access to expert media, policy and campaigns advice
• a monthly newsletter and policy digest
• discounts on national events
• use of the SSEC brand and logo

In addition, as a Member you will have a chance to shape our policy direction through participation in our annual AGM and ongoing policy development forums.

Download the MEMBERS or ASSOCIATES Application form & Join today »

To view the SSEC Application Form in PDF format you will need the freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is already installed on most computers.