We're delighted to announce that we've made it through to the final shortlist for the RBS Skills and Opportunities Fund!

The fund, which is now in it's last year, is focused on empowering people in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Scotland. Since it's inception in 2014, it's funded almost 50 projects, transforming the lives of local people for the better.

The project

Our Together Enterprise project is focused on the community of Pilton, Edinburgh and will work with young people aged between 16 and 24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). With local unemployment rates at 8.4% compared with the rest of Edinburgh at 3.9%, the young people involved are amongst the 5% most deprived in Scotland.

Our project will empower 25 young people to set up and run their own co-operative business. They'll learn about the history of the co-operative movement and how it has transformed the lives of millions of people across the world, gain a greater understanding of finance and develop employability skills including customer service and sales.

A huge thank you

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for our project. The winner will then be announced by the judging panel in December, so look out for an update coming soon!