Ken Barclay: impact (pic: Terry Murden)

Finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS) has invested more than £100 million in 460 social enterprises, community organisations and mission-driven businesses since opening its doors 20 years ago, according to its latest Impact Report.

It was also supporting firms during the Covid crisis. Active loans and investments increased from £28m handed to 175 social enterprises in 2019/20 to £38m paid out to 212 social enterprises in 2020/21.

One in eight (12%) loan customers secured loans of under £50,000 underlining SIS’s support for smaller social enterprises, charities and community organisations who traditionally find it difficult to access finance. SIS approved £10.6m in new investments for Scotland’s social enterprises during the year.

It deployed £4.6m in COVID-19 response funds to 50 social and third sector enterprises.