What is the REN?

The Reciprocal Exchange Network (REN) is funded by the Big lotteries.  The REN is a new and innovative project set to revolutionise the way the ethnic minority voluntary sector (EMVS) develops, interact and enhances its capabilities.  It is predominantly a web-based initiative that will increase the capacity of organisations through the exchange of skills and resources without spending money.

What is the aim of the REN?

The aim of the REN is to encourage improvements in working practices internally and develop effective partnership working externally by providing a platform for the sharing of skills, resources and best practice between ethnic minority voluntary sector organisations and social enterprises.  It will do this by:

• Filling skills ‘gaps’ and increasing the capacity and sustainability of the ethnic minority voluntary sector without spending money
• Developing a culture of trust and effective and lasting partnership working
• Improving the understanding and use of technology such as the Internet
• Reducing the carbon footprint by recycling useable items

How does it work?

Contact CEMVO Scotland and register your interest in the REN.  A REN development officer will visit your organisation and help you to complete an audit to:

• List the skills and resources they your organisation is able to share
• Look at the objectives of the organisations and identify any skills and resource gaps that need to be addressed to achieve your aims.
• Skiils will be offered on the REN database for members to view, you can then notify the REN development officer that they wish to make an exchange
• Members of the REN offer skills and resources which they can exchange for credit i.e., 1 hour of work = 1 credit.  These credits can in turn be used to exchange for skills offered by any other REN member

What else can you do?

A separate element of the REN will be a recycling notice board.  Organisations or individuals can post offers of good quality items such as office furniture that are no longer required by the donating organisation.  REN members will be able to take these items free of charge.  This is separate from the credit system mentioned above.  All organisations who wish to support the EMVS, including local councils and private companies, will be able to offer items for re-use exclusively to REN members.

Who is this for?

Membership of the REN is available to all ethnic minority organisations and community groups.

How much does it cost?

The REN is free to join.

For further information, please call us on 0141 248 4830 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .