Entrepreneurs across Scotland will benefit from the
first allocations of the £3 million commitment made by the Scottish
Government, John Swinney said today at the launch of the Scotland CAN DO Action
Framework.
The
Action Framework reinforces the Scottish Government’s ambition to become
a world leading and entrepreneurial and innovative nation and sets out details
of investment for entrepreneurs and innovators.
Two
of the projects that the Scottish Government will support with partners across
the public, private and third sectors over the coming years are Bridge 2
Business and the CAN DO innovation challenge.
Bridge 2 Business, which will receive up to
£300,000, promotes and encourages entrepreneurship amongst college
students. Following the success of the City of Glasgow College pilot over the
past year, the Scottish Government are now, with partners, supporting the
roll-out of this model to other colleges across Scotland.
£150,000 will go to the CAN DO Innovation
Challenge which focuses on maximising the opportunities presented by our town
centres. New and existing community based groups can put forward creative ideas
for the more entrepreneurial use of town centre space and facilities and be
supported to bring those ideas to fruition.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employability and
Sustainability said:
"This Scotland CAN DO Action Framework is the next
step on our journey towards being a world-leading entrepreneurial and
innovative nation.
“Today, we set out clearly how government will
support entrepreneurship with a £3 million package of investment and how
we are working with our partners towards that ambitious shared
vision.
“Bridge 2 Business in our colleges is a great
example of this ambition and collaborative working. Initiatives like this
reinforce the power of individuals to shape their own future and that of their
communities. I am pleased to announce that we will support the rollout of this
initiative during the coming academic year.
“I would also encourage budding entrepreneurs to
get involved in the CAN DO Innovation Challenge and make the most of the
opportunities that our town centres offer.”
Speaking of the launch of the CAN DO Innovation
Challenge, Mandy Haeburn-Little, Director of the Scottish Business Resilience
Centre, said:
“I am delighted to attend the launch of the
Scotland CAN DO Action Framework. It is a great example of collaboration
between many different groups, businesses and Scottish
Government.
“We all want to see businesses in Scotland do
well, we all want to see towns thriving and more than that we want capture and
record the individual nature and themes of those towns.
“By encouraging and growing resilient business we
make Scotland a more attractive, refreshing and safe place for people to live,
enjoy and, of course, where people want to spend money. We are very pleased to
be a part of this.”
Principal of City of Glasgow College, Paul Little,
said:
"Being the first college to host the Bridge 2
Business team, it has been an absolute pleasure to watch it grow from strength
to strength.
“Within a short period of time this unique
programme has seen over 400 students take part, which is testament to the
commitment, not only from staff and students within the college, but the
professionalism and determination of the B2B team.
“I am sure that many more students from across
Scotland's Colleges will benefit from realising their potential and
entrepreneurial skills.”