Work is an incredibly empowering thing. It can lift people out of poverty, help individuals develop and deliver economic growth for the overall good of society. As Sophocles put it: "without labour, nothing prospers".

It's with this sentiment in mind that Deloitte has launched our new Society Partnership Programme, aiming to inspire one million futures.

Working with up to 40 charity and social enterprise partners across the UK, three of which will come from Scotland, we're looking to help inspire Britain by enhancing its people's employability – raising aspirations, improving skills and developing leaders.

The programme is a year-and-a-half in the making and designed to reflect our business and its priorities: making an impact that matters to the organisations we work with, our people and wider society.

What can our partners expect if they are selected? To start with, you'll have access to the professional skills and expertise of Deloitte across the UK. Your organisation will receive customised pro-bono assistance, fundraising support and we'll make sure it's in the best possible financial shape.

Crucially, you'll also be able to meet with, connect and learn from the other society partners around you.

Inspiring a million futures is no mean feat, but it doesn't matter what size your organisation is. We want to hear from innovative, exciting Scottish charities and social enterprises that are making a great impact in their local communities and changing people's lives. It doesn't matter if that's thousands of people or a few dozen – it's the quality of your work that counts.

Keep all of that in mind when you come to submit your application. And, as a few more pointers, we'll want to understand your social impact, the opportunities available for collaboration and the specific ways you have helped people get into work, whether for the first time, returning after illness or transitioning between careers.

Between 2016 and 2019, we're looking forward to seeing the results of a meaningful partnership between Deloitte and our society partners, whoever they may be. Knowing what we do about the Scottish charity and social enterprise scene, I'm confident we can reach our target and make a meaningful impact for people's employment prospects across the country.

If you think your organisation has what it takes to help us make this amazing impact on one million people's lives, then apply here.

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