Selected history…
Over four decades CBS Network helped to shape the development of community businesses, community
enterprises and social enterprises across Scotland.
1981
CBS was established in response to an expanding Community Business movement across
Scotland following the first community business formed in 1978 in Govan
1986
The CBS national directory of this year describes the 59 community businesses in central
regions; the 22 community co-operatives in the Highlands and Islands; and the 12 advisory
agencies supporting community businesses in some form
1980s
Annual CBS Conventions regularly attracted 200 – 300 delegates – many from south of the
border. In the 1990s and 2000s these conventions became ‘gatherings’
1980s
CBS worked with regional councils to establish eight independent development units supporting
community businesses/enterprises in all regions of Scotland
By 1988
CBS reported that more than 100 community owned and controlled businesses had been set up
with ‘a combined turnover in excess of £10m…4000 jobs and training opportunities…and new
hope to Scotland’s poorest and most isolated communities.’
1988
CBS formed a trading arm - Community Economic Development
1981 - 2009
CBS established CB News in 1981 which was distributed widely every two months. It was
succeeded by New Sector in the 1990s which ran until 2009
1990
CBS launched the Scottish Community Enterprise Investment Fund (SCEIF) plc with a share
offer. It raised a fund of over £0.5m to lend to community enterprises.
1990 - now
CBS saw the importance of accounting for social change and researched and developed
methods of Social Accounting and Audit
1994 - 2014
CBS worked with colleagues in Europe on research which covered a variety of topics on the
emerging social economy
1998 - 2004
CBS obtained funding to support colleagues in India in: establishing a network of microfinance
groups with women from hard-pressed tribal communities
2000s
CBS Network, working with others, founded the Social Audit Network in 2003 and supported
SAN India with funds and mentoring for 3 years in the later 2000s
2003 - 2005
CBS Network obtained funding and managed the Bridge to the Social Economy project that
led on to the founding of Social Enterprise Scotland
1990s - now
CBS Network has maintained and developed links with colleagues in India, Australia, South
Africa, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, France, South Korea, Finland...
1990s - 2000s
CBS Network was an active member of COMMACT and Euronetz and partnered with a wide
range of organisations
2005 - now
CBS Network supported the Community Business Ventures project that linked Community
Campus 87 in Middlesbrough and the Renton group of community companies with an NGO in
Bangalore
2010 - now
CBS Network supported the Social Enterprise Collection (Scotland) which started with
papers donated by John Pearce, and is now housed at Glasgow Caledonian University
2015
CBS Network decided to close and celebrate the achievements!
Finally we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have been a part of, and have
contributed, to CBS Network over the years - members, colleagues, partners, clients, Directors, funders...