Rural SEN: Tackling Depopulation

The Role of Social Enterprises in Tackling Depopulation
📅 12 October 2026 | 11:00am – 12:30pm

Rural depopulation is one of the biggest challenges facing communities across Scotland, but rural social enterprises are stepping up to help turn the tide.

Life in rural Scotland often costs more. Heating, fuel, food, transport and getting to services can all be more expensive, and this "rural premium" hits people on low incomes hardest. Higher costs can push people, especially young people and families, to leave, and make it harder for others to move in or come back.

As Challenge Poverty Week highlights, tackling poverty means looking at these hidden costs. Rural social enterprises are doing just that. They create fair, local jobs, run shops, transport and care services that might otherwise disappear, and keep money circulating in the community. This helps bring down the cost of rural living and gives people real reasons to stay, return and put down roots.

Join Scotland's Rural SEN for this online session to hear how social enterprises are helping to sustain and revitalise rural communities while easing the pressure on those who need it most.

Whether you run a rural social enterprise, work in community development, or simply care about the future of Scotland's rural areas, come along to hear real examples, share ideas and connect with others working to keep our communities thriving.

Free and open to all. Book your space today.