This year’s Social in The Gardens Festival kicks-off today in Princes Street Gardens.

The two-day event  is organised by Edinburgh Social Enterprise and sponsored by Business Gateway Edinburgh for the second year running.

The free event, which follows on from the success of the inaugural festival last year and expected to attract over 10,000 visitors, is aimed at raising awareness and celebrating the work of social enterprises in the city where profits go back into the community and towards social or environmental change.

Over 30 social enterprises are taking part in the event, located at the Ross Bandstand, including Breadshare Community Bakery, Ginerosity, Grassmarket Community Project and Edinburgh Art Collective.

Expert advisers from the social enterprise sector will also be on hand to offer information, advice and guidance on creating and running a successful social enterprise.

Susan Harkins, Head of Business Gateway Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Social in the Gardens Festival again this year and really looking forward to what will be another fantastic event.

“At Business Gateway Edinburgh we work with many social enterprises to help them reach their goals of putting something back into the community, including financial planning and digital support, which is why this is a perfect partnership for us to be involved in where we get the chance to recognise and celebrate the great work they are doing.”

The wide range of events scheduled to take place over the two-day festival, running from 10am until 8.30pm, includes live music, performances, art installations, activities for kids, a family ceilidh and food and drink stalls.

Additional sponsors of the event include Link Group Ltd, The University of Edinburgh, Price Waterhouse Coopers Edinburgh and Scottish Government.

Claire Pattullo, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Social Enterprise, organisers of Social in the Gardens said: “With the generous support of Business Gateway Edinburgh and the other sponsors, we have been able to build on the success of last year’s event.

“Social in the Gardens 2018 promises to be bigger and better with more activities and social enterprises present. We aim to reach as many members of the public as possible to increase their understanding of the good that social enterprises do for communities and encourage them to make a conscious decision to purchase from them.”

For event details, visit http://www.edinburghsocialenterprise.co.uk/social-in-the-gardens-2018/

For details about Business Gateway Edinburgh support, visit www.bateway.com/Edinburgh