This year we were delighted to receive funding from The Mathew Trust which will allow us to provide seven individuals to participate in the next intake of The Circle Academy. Through this funding there are four free spaces on the Full Circle package and three on the Semi Circle package.
The Circle Academy is our training programme for individuals looking to create positive social or environmental change in a sustainable and financially viable way. The programme is focused on developing skills and knowledge in mindset, business planning, legal structures, governance, finance, marketing, sales and selling, teams and culture, social impact, funding and pitching.
Participants on the Full Circle will take part in 12 weeks of intensive training through live and recorded expert-led sessions alongside 1-to-1 support, access to exclusive learning resources and culminating in a chance to pitch for a pot of funding. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain an SCQF level 7 qualification. Following the 12-week training programme candidates will also receive 9 months of follow-up support to help embed their learning and better set them up to achieve their goals. The next cohort of the Full Circle begins on Thursday 15th April. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31st March.
The Semi Circle is a flexible self-study version of The Circle Academy which gives and introduction to social entrepreneurship and More Than Profit. Semi Circle participants will have access to recordings of 20 of the Academy programme’s expert led sessions and 6 exclusive learning resources for self study.
Both packages give participants access to The Circle Academy online platform for a year. This platform includes access to exclusive learning resources, session recordings and forum to interact with other Academy candidates and programme speakers.
Criteria for a scholarship place:
- Young people up to the age of 25
- Have an idea that will make a difference in the community in Dundee or surrounding areas
At just 16 years old Daniel Flannigan was a candidate in the most recent cohort of The Circle on the Full Circle package. Daniel is setting up a clothing line that will use its profits to support causes related to men’s mental health. Daniel did very well on the Academy and went on to win the pitch competition at the end of the programme, receiving a small funding pot to go towards his start-up costs.
“I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do at the start of the course but by the end, I had a fully planned out, business plan that is going underway this year. It didn’t feel like school, even though we were learning but it’s because you’re developing yourself and your business idea. It was just a great experience and learning opportunity that anyone should grasp if they get the chance.”
Daniel Flannigan, cohort 3
If you’re interested in one of the scholarship spaces on The Circle Academy, complete an application below or contact [email protected] for more information.