Since 2009 We Have Been - Building Pathways & Breaking Barriers.
Developing People. Supporting Organisations. Strengthening Communities.
Building Futures, Transforming Aspirations, Empowering & Improving lives within the African, Caribbean & minoritised communities across Scotland
Building Futures, Transforming Aspirations, Empowering & Improving lives within the African, Caribbean & minoritised communities across Scotland
Our Impact
Funding
Secured over £2.7M to African & Caribbean/Minoritised organisations across Scotland, to support their work and development
Employment
Over 3150 African & Caribbean & minoritised people supported into skills, volunteering, employment & job placements since 2009.
Capacity Building to Social Enterprises & Community Organisations
Over 975 African & Caribbean/minoritised community organisations and social enterprise supported
Fuel Poverty
Fuel poverty reduction Afro-Caribbean community across Scotland 3600
Heritage Sector
Developed and deployed the 1st led BME national Recognised Traineeship and accredited programme within the Heritage Sector across Scotland, creating 34 paid placements for African & Caribbean and minoritised communities acquiring skills, experience and direct employment with the sector, with over 5000 new audiences from BME communities accessing, influencing, having a voice, & learning about various services; with over 90 volunteers been aware and engaged with the sector
Climate Change across Scotland
Developed and deployed the 1st BME-Led climate change initiative in Scotland. This work and our publications’’ Tackling Inequality & Climate Change in Scotland’, led to equality being included as a target within the climate change fund. Today as a result of this work and our campaign, £15 million has been secured for BME organisations across Scotland and 90 fully funded projects by the Climate Change Fund.
£2.7M
FUNDING SECURED
3150+
African & Caribbean & minoritised people supported
3600+
Fuel poverty reduction Afro-Caribbean
975+
Local Organisation Supported For Funding
34
Paid placements for African & Caribbean and minorities communities
250+
Local Organisation Supported For Funding
1200+
Community Engagement Events Delivered
250+
Local Organisation Supported For Funding
NSI Business Accelerator and Employability Hub
Our social enterprise program- business incubation and accelerator hub has supported over 385 Individuals, organisations, and community groups.
This has been described by Fiorina Mugione, of the Chief Entrepreneurship Section, United Nations Conference for Trade and Development Geneva as ‘’the prime exemplar of diaspora impactive entrepreneurship’’.
Additionally, our Inclusive Museum Heritage Project Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund as a route of employability has been recognised as a Recruitment Best Practices Model. This hub continues to provide coaching, mentoring and capacity building support to African and Caribbean social enterprises, community groups and individuals across Scotland.
The African Climate Change Centre in Scotland Heritage (2012-2015).
The African Climate Change Centre in Scotland Heritage Initiative (2012-2015).
This built the expertise of over 1000 African and Caribbean/Ethnic Minority participants in environmental sustainability and conservation, leading to over 5 full time jobs over a 4 year period.
This was funded by Scottish Government through the Climate Change Fund
Build Your Dream
Our Strategic Focus
Heritage Leadership Training Programme
A structured development programme placing trainees within leading museums and galleries across Scotland, combining professional training, mentoring, and real-world experience.
Organisational Capacity & Strategic Partnerships
Supporting cultural institutions to diversify leadership pipelines while strengthening inclusive practice through collaboration.
Community Engagement & Representation
Connecting communities with heritage spaces to ensure inclusive storytelling and accessible participation.
Heritage Leadership Programme 2024/2025
The 2024/2025 cohort has successfully completed the Heritage Leadership Training Programme, culminating in formal certification and recognition of their leadership development within partner museum environments. This achievement reflects NSI’s commitment to building sustainable pathways into heritage leadership for underrepresented communities.
Young Leadership Engagement
A structured initiative supporting young people to develop leadership confidence, sector awareness, and practical skills through facilitated sessions, mentorship, and engagement within Scotland’s heritage and cultural institutions.
The Youth Cultural Diversity Heritage Leadership Project
The Youth Cultural Diversity Heritage Leadership Project “The Way Back to My Roots’’ (2014/2015). In this successful youth heritage leadership capacity-building initiative, over 150 young people developed a better inter-cultural understanding of the different cultures and their inter-connectivity across Scotland with funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Connect With Us
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Our Research Programm
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Across many communities in Scotland, young people—particularly those from ethnic minority and underrepresented backgrounds—continue to face significant barriers to employment. These barriers include limited access to professional networks, lack of work experience opportunities, low awareness of career pathways, and systemic inequalities within key sectors such as heritage, culture, and the creative industries.
At Next Step Initiative (NSI), we believe that every young person deserves a fair opportunity to develop their talents, gain meaningful experience, and build a sustainable career. Our Youth and Employability programmes are designed to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity by equipping young people with the practical skills, professional exposure, and confidence they need to thrive in the workplace.
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