BUSINESS leaders from South East Cornwall are among a Cornish group who’ve graduated from a programme.

Eight community business leaders passed out from the Community Business Trade Up Programme, run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) in partnership with the Lottery-funded organisation Power to Change.

The graduates have completed a six-month learning programme at the School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall and will receive a grant of up to £10,000 each.

The Community Business Trade Up Programme supports people who aim to improve their local communities through trade.

More than 330 people applied and 100 leaders across England were selected for the programme.

Eight of those entrepreneurs, identified for what managers called their motivation and entrepreneurial qualities, were awarded a place to learn at SSE Cornwall.

Sally Heard of SSE Cornwall said: ‘We are thrilled to see this group of talented social entrepreneurs and leaders graduate from the programme, and we look forward to following their progress as they work to create a lasting social impact in Cornwall.

‘In turn, we hope that these leaders will inspire others to work for positive change in their communities.’

The eight business leaders graduating from the programme are from Lynher River Barge, Liskeard’s Community Treasure Chest, Par Bay Community Trust, Fowey’s Squires Field Community Centre, Treverbyn Community Hall, Falmouth and Penryn Community Radio, Redruth Revival and Bosavern Community Enterprises.

They will be some of the first to receive a Match Trading grant of up to £10,000. Match Trading is a new type of funding for socially-led organisations which matches an increase in sales pound-for-pound, incentivising social entrepreneurs to generate more income to help their community or the environment.

Match Trading was created by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, with the support of Lloyds Banking Group and the Big Lottery Fund, and programme partner Power to Change.

Power to Change has provided the funding for this programme, and the School for Social Entrepreneurs plans to support at least 500 social entrepreneurs with Match Trading grants over the next five years.

For more information about the School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall, visit www.ssecornwall.org