Skills and Training
HISEZ conference report from snowy Aviemore
/ 0
- Details
- Friday, 20 March 2009 16:01 Claire Hannah Hits: 677
In early March, the Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ) conference attracted over 120 delegates and around 20 exhibition stands to a snowy Aviemore. The delegates were a mix of social enterprises from all over the Highlands, with representatives from many public sector and supporting organisations also in attendance.
The day began with an address from Antonia Swinson of the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition, followed by a talk from Willy Roe, chair of Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), explaining HIE's new remit within ‘Strengthening Communities’. He also made it clear to his audience that the economic downturn would seriously affect public spending over the next 10 years, and that much more creative thinking would be required to source funding.
The other key speaker was Artur Steinerowski, a PhD student at the University of the Highlands and Islands, who presented his findings on barriers to developing social enterprises within the Highlands and Islands. The key message delivered, and what could have been the theme for the day, was finance, and the huge strain that a lack of finance puts on Social Enterprises. This message was also reinforced by Brian Weaver, head of HISEZ, later in the day.
An added benefit of the event was, as ever, the networking opportunity, which was encouraged at all points through the day. The only downside to the conference was that it had to be cut-short due to the adverse weather conditions. To see the presentations from the day go to www.hisezconference.co.uk/slides.
