Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport signs up to Buy Social Scotland Pledge

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) has signed up to the Buy Social Scotland Pledge.

The national initiative, led by Social Enterprise Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government, aims to strengthen opportunities for social enterprises within the country’s supply chains.

ICFGF signed up to underline its commitment to working with the third sector in the Highlands and to help encourage other companies and organisations to do the same.

Calum MacPherson, Chief Executive of ICFGF, said: “We are proud to join the growing list of companies and organisations that are showing their commitment to strengthening supply chain opportunities for social enterprises by signing up to this Pledge.

“The third sector is a critical part of Scotland’s rural economy, providing a wide range of important services and products as well as creating employment opportunities. People might be surprised to know that in the Highlands and Islands alone in 2021 there were 1,277 social enterprises operating, with 7,228 full time employees and contributing £197m to the area’s economy, according to the most recent census by Scottish Government.

“ICFGF is still in the process of being fully established, but we are firmly committed to ensuring opportunities for social enterprises in our procurement and supply chain and to actively encouraging the many companies and organisations we work with to do the same.”

Launched last year, the Buy Social Scotland Pledge brings together corporate businesses, academic institutions and public sector bodies.

It has five key commitments: recognise Fair Work principles; make a commitment towards a net zero policy; promote social enterprises within the organisation’s procurement and supply chain; agree to prompt payment to its suppliers; and commit to reporting annual spend with social enterprises.

Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport to the Buy Social Scotland Pledge. By prioritising social value in their operations, ICFGF is setting a powerful example of how economic development can go hand in hand with community benefit. Their involvement demonstrates a strong commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy, and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts of their collaboration with local social enterprises.