Registered in 2009, Next Step Initiative (NSI) is a Scottish charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), concerned with promoting and empowering individuals from Black, Asian Minority Ethnic groups. However, whilst we are concerned with Minority Ethnic communities, our focus is on the Black community as we are aware that the term BAME presents a homogenous front, whereas these groups are heterogenous, with markedly different experiences across economic and social divides (Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2020; Ubele, 2020). Hence our focus is on Afro-Caribbean Communities.

In the attempt to deliver sustainable local solutions, NSI has provided a platform for several Afro-Caribbean organisations across Scotland. We have supported and partnered third sector organisations in some of the most disadvantaged and fragile communities in Scotland. Our mission is to harness economic potential, thereby reducing reliance on social welfare, and entrepreneurship, with the overarching goal of promoting inclusive growth in these communities.

Areas of focus

Our areas of focus include:

• Poverty alleviation
• Employment and Entrepreneurship
• Citizenship and community
• Racial Justice and Equality
• Social and financial inclusion
• Education, and Training

NSI adopts a participatory approach and has partnered with over 200 third sector organisations to share resources (human and material), uproot multigenerational deprivation and inequalities within the Afro-Caribbean communities through community participation and empowerment as stipulated in the Scottish Community Empowerment Act (2015). This affords individuals from these community groups the opportunity to make decisions and exercise greater degree of control over decisions that affect their lived experiences and an increased sense of shared ownership.

Our Pride

Next Step Initiative has championed several projects since inception. All these projects are geared towards empowering Afro-Caribbean communities. Some of our areas of pride include:

Strong, Strategic Networks

We have a network of over 250 organisations. NSI has partnered and successfully supported and enhanced the capacity and sustainability of 23 Organisations and 13 Social Enterprises from the most disadvantaged and deprived African and Caribbean communities across Scotland. Furthermore, we have worked with external agencies including the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, NHS Scotland and Police Scotland, Edinburgh City Council, National Trust Scotland, Glasgow Life, Museums Galleries Scotland, University of West of Scotland, Wheatley Group/GHA and over 15 private sector partners in the delivery of several projects including Employability. NSI also facilitated the establishment of Scottish African and Caribbean Social Enterprise and Engagement Network (SACSEN) in the bid to ensure a unified front for leaders of African and Caribbean third sector organisations.