What is Vital Spark?Vital Spark is a dynamic project, delivered by Firstport in partnership with InspirAlba, working alongside local people in Argyll and the Islands, revitalising local areas through social enterprise.

Could your idea be the vital spark to revitalise your community? This vast area has an outstanding

cultural and natural heritage and an abundance of assets, but it faces tough challenges. Communities are separated by huge distances: some are remote and rural, others are 30 minutes from a million people. There are economic disparities between and within communities. And the biggest export is young people as Argyll has one of the highest rates of youth migration in Scotland. What these areas have in common is a strong sense of who they are, a vibrant community spirit and a commitment to getting things done.

Vital Spark is setting up social enterprise hubs in Dunoon, Rothesay and Campbeltown.

We are inviting you to come up with an idea that will have a positive impact in your community and to take the journey with us to develop this idea into a social enterprise.

The best ideas will be offered a place on Vital Spark. You’ll have access to one to one business training, mentoring from industry experts, funding and free workspace to test your social enterprise start up ideas.

We aim to build enterprising local cultures where emerging social entrepreneurs can flourish while generating skills and revenue that support themselves and their community.

Social enterprises are businesses that trade to improve communities, people’s lives or the environment. They can make the most of the good things in communities – trading local crafts, skills and produce. But they can also be uniquely placed to meet local needs - using empty shops, employing local people and delivering the services people want.

Sparking your ideasTHEME 1

PeopleTraining and development for young people, skills sharing between generations, more community action

THEME 2

PlacesCreative uses for empty shops, community growing in underused space, outdoor play for children

activities air architecture art art groups attractions beautiful car club

children climate collaborative working college colour community rural

mountains clean generosity wildlife talent

independent shops music beaches

accessible community entrepreneurial

forest compact compassion contained creative distillery

employment population environment intergenerational

freedom creativity friendly nature

community spirit tranquil

family family-friendly fauna fishing food peace

galleries diverse house prices events water

welcoming safe potential religious leaders

helpful heritage hidden talents quiet

history innovation links to mainland

local whisky sunsets water front

local produce locations humour

views

facilities

transport

sport scenery

movement vibrant-towns

o u t d o o r s

support network

o p p o r t u n i t i e s

n e ws p a p e r

p e a c e f u l

p e o p l e

p r i d e

skills cohesion bullying cynicism leadership gossip balanced run down

demographics support (for young people) entertainment empty shops

youth employment education digital Infrastructure

community disability support grow/buy local

opportunities for young people

buildings events cycle paths investment professional parking

more jobs internet

skills markets townspace accessiblity festivals

renewables tourist-friendly

marketing tourism

meeting spaces poverty collaboration

funding training community

ownership cheaper housing

aspiration indoor play areas

transport

fuel information-sharing

gathering place

for

teens healthcare

o p p o r t u n i t i e s

public transport

roads open

spaces

THEME 3

ServicesCommunity transport solutions, sports and outdoor activities, support for recycling and renewables

THEME 4

EnterprisePop up shops for local crafts, more markets for local produce, support for buying local

THEME 5

Culture &Platforms for local artists to sell their work, new tourist trails, events and festivals

Heritage

...but w

ith ro

om for im

provement

To get us started we met local people and asked them two simple questions: what do you love about your area and what could be better?

We’ve developed these into five themes to get you started.

You said there is so much to offer

Keep going Time to leave the hub and find your own premises

Your journeyLight the Spark Attend one of our local events, find out more and discuss ideas

Get selected Send us your application and additional documents by the deadline for your area

You’re on board! Take up your place at your local Vital Spark hub

Fired up & ready to go! Your support starts here. Meet your business advisor and make the most of the support available

Get funding Apply for up to £5,000

Open for business Start testing your idea, the vital spark team will be there to support and encourage you

Go to www.firstport.org.uk/vitalspark and find out the next application date for your area www.firstport.org.uk/vitalspark • info@firstport.org.uk • 0131 220 0511

Firstport is Scotland’s development agency for start-up social entrepreneurs and social enterprise. They provide people with seed funding, free business advice, practical tools and expert mentoring. Firstport has supported around 4000 budding social entrepreneurs and helped to create two new social enterprises every week. Firstport designed the programme and will run the local hubs.

Inspiralba is a charitable enterprise, operating across Argyll and the Islands to assist community based organisations to turn their ideas and aspirations into robust, sustainable business activities. It provides a range of services, to help organisations build resilience and income which in turn delivers a range of environmental, social and economic benefits for communities across Argyll and Bute. InspirAlba will work alongside Firstport as the local partner providing business training.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for the north and west of Scotland. Their purpose is to generate sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands. They work in a diverse region which extends from Shetland to Argyll, and from the Outer Hebrides to Moray, covering more than half of Scotland’s land mass. HIE is the main funder and is providing grant support to cover the costs of running the project.

CalMac Ferries Ltd Caledonian MacBrayne is the UK’s largest ferry network operator and a major Scottish employer. A multi-award winner, it has provided essential lifeline services and logistical support to island and mainland communities for more than 160 years. CalMac plays an integral part in the sustainability of the Highlands and Islands’ social and business life providing vital links, jobs and commerce across some of Europe’s most remote and economically fragile areas. The company is proud to make tangible commitment to its communities as part of Vital Spark.

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and offers the largest such network in the world. UnLtd resources hundreds of individuals each year through its core Awards programme by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from Awards of funding, to ongoing advice, networking and practical support. UnLtd will provide grant funding and additional support to participants on the programme.

Kilfinan TrustThe Kilfinan Trust Nick and Jane Ferguson set up the Kilfinan Trust to support voluntary organisations and charities in Argyll. The Kilfinan Trust has contributed funding towards the running costs of the project.

The Partnership

Funded by Highlands and Islands EnterpriseSupported by Caledonian MacBrayne, UnLtd & Kilfinan Trust Registered in Scotland • Company Registration No. SC312802 • Charity No. SCO37942

www.firstport.org.uk/vitalspark info@firstport.org.uk • 0131 220 0511