On 10th February 2026, the Community Wealth Building Bill passed in Scotland at Parliament.
The aims of the bill are to :
- Reduce economic and wealth inequality between individuals and communities in and across Scotland
- Support sustainable & inclusive economic growth in line with the United Nations sustainable development goals
Doing this by :
- Promoting employment opportunities & workforce development
- Equality in the workplace
- Diversifying ownership of land/energy/assets
- Bringing vacant and derelict land back into use
- Encouraging local business startups
And most importantly : Promoting and supporting the development of social enterprises, employee owned businesses & co-ops 🤝
👪What is Community Wealth Building?
It may sound like another buzz word but to put it simply, community wealth building is people. It’s ensuring that money made in communities, stays in those communities and helps to improve the lives of people living there
💭 How is it different?
People & planet ahead of profit. Creating jobs, opportunities, investment like parks & community centres and resources that will benefit the local community living there and improve the lives of people within the area.
🤔 This sounds familiar..
This is what Social Enterprise is all about and what we’ve been doing for years!
The Community Wealth Building bill is great news as it means local councils need to focus on the work social enterprise has been doing and help us all to do, what we do best.
🏙️ Practical Examples of Community Wealth Building
🧽 Scran Academy
is a catering social enterprise with programmes which support young people to transition beyond the classroom to take control of their development.
From menu development to recruitment, young people are central to everything they do and play a vital role in the leadership of Scran.
Scran Academy partners with NHS Lothian and runs the NHS hospital cafe’s now in Comely Bank Centre & Royal Hospital for Children and Young People with a third cafe opening in West Pilton Park as part of a regeneration project with Edinburgh council.
🏪 The Pitt
is part of the North Edinburgh regeneration development, The Pitt has a bold vision for a new social, cultural and grassroots space where ideas can be trialled, tested and brought to life in a supportive, low-barrier, community environment.
A 700 capacity venue for live music and events, free to access indoor hall with food stalls, markets & a multitude of community organisations set up in the space.
A space for early start restaurateurs to try out ideas in a supportive environment with a captive fan base and a hub for the community.
🍔 Space @ Broomhouse Hub
is a Scottish Award-winning charity and social enterprise championing community development and bringing people together.
Running for over 30 years, space currently runs more than 20 projects with 60+ staff members and 250 volunteers.
Coorie Kitchen, Space’s social enterprise offers cafe services as well as catering and a pizza van available for events. They run kiosks at both the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and Lauriston Building hospitals for NHS Lothian.
🤝 Get Involved
👥 For Individuals
Support your local community by choosing to buy from social enterprises in our directory, volunteer or work for a social enterprise in our weekly listings and find out more about Edinburgh Social Enterprises in our interview series.
🏢 For Businesses
Partner with purpose-driven organisations and strengthen your social impact by joining us, fulfil corporate social responsibility and support the Community Wealth Building Scotland Bill by getting in touch with us to find out more.
💷 For Funders
Invest in sustainable models with people that care deeply about bettering the world, delivering long-term community benefit. Get in touch with us here.
👉 Take the next step:
