a guide to government financial assistance for businesses · a guide to government financial...
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Financial Scrutiny Unit Briefing
A guide to Government financial assistance for businesses
21 October 2013
13/66
Scherie Nicol
This guide outlines EU, UK, Scottish and local Government financial assistance available to new and existing businesses in Scotland as at October 2013. It should be noted that the Government also provides non-financial assistance to businesses, but this support is not covered in this guide. More information on business support is available from the Business Gateway website or by calling 0845 609 6611. Businesses with high-growth potential may be eligible for additional support via the Business Gateway Growth Pipeline and ultimately Scottish Enterprise or Highlands & Islands Enterprise account management. The funding programmes available may be subject to change. Please contact the author if you would like to update any information in this guide.
© chienlee
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CONTENTS
INITIAL TOOLS TO FIND FUNDING ........................................................................................................................... 3
GRANTS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
REGIONAL SELECTIVE ASSISTANCE .................................................................................................................. 4 THE SCOTTISH EDGE ............................................................................................................................................ 4
EQUITY INVESTMENT AND LOANS .......................................................................................................................... 5
SCOTTISH SEED FUND (SSF) ............................................................................................................................... 5 SCOTTISH CO-INVESTMENT FUND (SCF) ........................................................................................................... 5 SCOTTISH VENTURE FUND (SVF) ........................................................................................................................ 6 SCOTTISH LOAN FUND (SLF) ............................................................................................................................... 6 ENTERPRISE CAPITAL FUND PROGRAMME ...................................................................................................... 7 ENTERPRISE FINANCE GUARANTEE .................................................................................................................. 7 BUSINESS FINANCE PARTNERSHIP .................................................................................................................... 8 NEW ENTERPRISE ALLOWANCE ......................................................................................................................... 8 SEED ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEME (SEIS) AND ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEME (EIS) ........ 9 VENTURE CAPITAL TRUST SCHEME (VCT) ........................................................................................................ 9
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) FUNDING.............................................................................................. 10
R&D GRANT .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 R&D TAX CREDITS ............................................................................................................................................... 10 TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD GRANTS .................................................................................................... 11 EUREKA EUROSTARS ......................................................................................................................................... 11 HORIZON 2020 ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
INNOVATION FUNDING ............................................................................................................................................ 13
SMART:SCOTLAND GRANT ................................................................................................................................. 13
SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING – CREATIVE INDUSTRIES .................................................................................... 14
CREATIVE SCOTLAND FUNDING ....................................................................................................................... 14
SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING – LIFE SCIENCES .................................................................................................. 14
ROCK SPRING VENTURES EU ............................................................................................................................ 14
SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING - RENEWABLES AND RECYCLING ...................................................................... 15
GREEN INVESTMENT BANK ................................................................................................................................ 15 RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND ..................................................................................................... 15 SCOTTISH PLASTICS LOAN FUND ..................................................................................................................... 16 NATIONAL RENEWABLES INFRASTRUCTURE FUND ...................................................................................... 16
SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING – THIRD SECTOR ................................................................................................... 17
ENTERPRISE READY FUND ................................................................................................................................ 17 COMMUNITY JOBS SCOTLAND (CJS) ................................................................................................................ 17
SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING - TOURISM .............................................................................................................. 18
VISITSCOTLAND GROWTH FUND ...................................................................................................................... 18
FUNDING FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES ................................................................................................................. 19
SKILLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING ....................................................................................... 32
FLEXIBLE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES .............................................................................................................. 32 MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS ............................................................................................................................. 32 ADOPT AN APPRENTICE ..................................................................................................................................... 33 EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE – COMMONWEALTH GAMES SKILLS LEGACY ............................. 33 EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE – REMPLOY EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE ....................................... 34 EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE - TARGETED YOUNG PEOPLE ....................................................... 34 LOW CARBON SKILLS FUND ............................................................................................................................... 35
FUNDING FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS ........................................................................................................... 36
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INITIAL TOOLS TO FIND FUNDING
1. Business Gateway More information on business support is available from the Business Gateway website or by calling 0845 609 6611. Businesses with high-growth potential may be eligible for additional support via the Business Gateway Growth Pipeline and ultimately Scottish Enterprise or Highlands & Islands Enterprise Account Management.
2. The Scottish Business Portal The Scottish Business Portal is an online resource which makes it easier for businesses to access all the relevant information they need from government and the wider public sector. It helps companies find information and practical advice as well as identify what public sector support is available for their business no matter which organisation provides it, thus without the need to navigate around multiple sites.
The Portal includes a finance element which specifically helps companies identify all possible sources of financial support from the public and private sector and will in time be developed to allow businesses to apply for appropriate funding:
Scottish Government search for finance and funding sources
3. UK business finance and support finder This business finance and support finder provides a tool for finding UK Government publicly-funded sources of assistance.
4. EU checklist for innovation and research funding In addition, there are other guides to business finance available. For example, the Young Company Finance magazine has launched a free Guide to Finance for Young Companies on its website in September 2013. This includes a directory of contacts such as investors and advisors, and a selection of articles giving guidance and advice.
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GRANTS
REGIONAL SELECTIVE ASSISTANCE
Funding to undertake investment that will directly result in the creation or safeguarding of jobs in Scotland.
What type of project is eligible?
Projects must take place in Scotland within an assisted area, directly create or safeguard jobs, not be offset by job
losses elsewhere, involve an element of capital investment and be mainly funded from the private sector. New EU
rules may mean that companies with 250 or more employees may no longer be eligible for RSA funding from next
year. To secure RSA funding before the changes take place, businesses must submit their application before 28
February 2014.
How much funding is available?
The amount offered is dependent on the size of the business, location of the project and an assessment of how
much is needed for the project go ahead.
Where do I go for more information?
Information is available on the Scottish Enterprise website or by calling 0845 607 8787. Businesses in the
Highlands and Islands can contact their local HIE office for more information.
THE SCOTTISH EDGE
A fund to support and encourage entrepreneurial activity among young companies.
What type of company is eligible?
The fund is open to small, young Scottish businesses which, with support, have the potential to achieve or increase
sales by £400,000 within a period of three years (or £200,000 in the Highlands and Islands region). Businesses
must have been incorporated within the previous three financial years and must have a commitment to growing in
Scotland over the next three.
How much funding is available?
The companies which demonstrate the most potential can win awards up to £50,000.
Where do I go for more information?
Scottish EDGE is delivered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise on behalf of Scottish
Government, and in partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway.
Details of the application process can be found here and queries can be directed to [email protected].
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EQUITY INVESTMENT AND LOANS
SCOTTISH SEED FUND (SSF)
Equity funding for seed and start-up stage SME’s at the end phase of product development and/or
commercialisation.
Who qualifies for this investment?
Early stage Scottish companies with growth or export potential. Priority will be given to businesses demonstrating
high-growth potential by launching new products, entering new or export markets and increasing employment. The
company must be in an approved business sector and fall within the EC’s definition of an SME.
How much funding is available?
SSF can invest between £20,000 and £250,000. The business must demonstrate that it has explored other funding
sources, secure at least one external equity investor and match at least 50% of its financing requirements through
private sector sources.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available by contacting the Scottish Investment Bank, a division of Scottish Enterprise, through
completing this form.
SCOTTISH CO-INVESTMENT FUND (SCF)
Equity investment fund which forms contractual partnerships with active venture capital fund managers, business
angels and business angel syndicates (the SCF partner) to invest in SME finance deals.
Who qualifies for this investment?
Businesses must first secure funding from one of the SCF partners. The partner then presents the investment
opportunity to the Scottish Investment Bank. The business must have its “centre of gravity” in Scotland, be
incorporated, have fewer than 250 employees, have net assets less than £16 million be doing a deal that involves
the sale of an equity interest, be in an approved business sector and fall within the EC’s definition of an SME.
How much funding is available?
Investments can be between £100,000 and £1 million in company finance deals of up to £2 million, but Scottish
Enterprise cannot hold in aggregate more than 29.9% of the voting rights of a company and public money cannot
account for more than 50% of the total risk capital funding in a deal. The SCF investment must be at least matched
pound for pound by the SCF partner and the terms obtained must be equal to those of the SCF partner.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available by contacting the Scottish Investment Bank, a division of Scottish Enterprise, through
completing this form.
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EQUITY INVESTMENT AND LOANS CONT’D
SCOTTISH VENTURE FUND (SVF)
Equity investment fund which forms contractual partnerships with active venture capital fund managers, business
angels and business angel syndicates (the SVF partner) to invest in SME finance deals.
Who qualifies for this investment?
Businesses must first secure funding from one of the SVF partners. The partner then presents the investment
opportunity to the Scottish Investment Bank. The business must have its “centre of gravity” in Scotland, be
incorporated, have fewer than 250 employees, have net assets less than £16 million be doing a deal that involves
the sale of an equity interest, be in an approved business sector and fall within the EC’s definition of an SME.
How much funding is available?
Investments can be up to £2 million in company finance deals of up to £10 million, but Scottish Enterprise cannot
hold in aggregate more than 29.9% of the voting rights of a company and public money cannot account for more
than 50% of the total risk capital funding in a deal. The SVF investment must be at least matched pound for pound
by the SVF partner and the terms obtained must be equal to those of the SVF partner.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available by contacting the Scottish Investment Bank, a division of Scottish Enterprise, through
completing this form.
SCOTTISH LOAN FUND (SLF)
Finance for established SME businesses which have growth potential.
Who qualifies for this investment?
Investment focuses on established SMEs that have growth potential or are engaged in exporting outwith Scotland.
To qualify, the SME must have an established operating base in Scotland, have sustainable operating profits and
positive cash generation, have an annual turnover of at least £1,000,000 in the preceding 12 months of trading,
and meet the EC’s definition of an SME.
How much funding is available?
The SLF provides mezzanine loans of between £250,000 and £2 million, in exceptional circumstances up to £5
million on a wholly commercial basis.
Where do I go for more information?
The Scottish Loan Fund is managed by Maven Capital Partners. Information about the Scottish Loan Fund can be
found on the Maven website or by contacting a member of the Maven SLF Investment Team via email
[email protected] or telephone 0141 206 0121.
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EQUITY INVESTMENT AND LOANS CONT’D
ENTERPRISE CAPITAL FUND PROGRAMME
Commercial funds which bring together private and UK Government money to make equity investments.
Who qualifies for this investment?
Early-stage innovative SME’s with high growth potential.
Where do I go for more information?
Companies seeking equity investment are advised to contact a fund manager with a relevant investment focus, a
list of which is available on the Capital for Enterprise website here.
ENTERPRISE FINANCE GUARANTEE
A UK Government loan guarantee scheme to facilitate additional lending to viable SME’s lacking adequate security
or proven track record for a normal commercial loan.
Who qualifies for this guarantee?
Businesses that operate in the UK, have turnover of up to £41 million, are seeking finance between £1,000 and £1
million, have repayment terms from 3 months to 10 years and operate in a sector that is eligible.
How much of a guarantee is available?
The Government provides the lender with a guarantee for 75% of each individual loan, subject to a cap set by an
Annual Claim Limit. The borrower pays a 2% per annum pro-rata premium to the Government as a contribution
towards the cost of providing the Government guarantee. The borrower is responsible for repayment of 100% of the
loan, not just the 25% outside the coverage of the Government guarantee.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the UK Government website here. Businesses seeking to apply for an EFG can
approach one or more of the participating lenders.
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EQUITY INVESTMENT AND LOANS CONT’D
BUSINESS FINANCE PARTNERSHIP
Commercial funds which bring together private and UK Government money to lend to businesses.
Who qualifies for this guarantee?
Small and mid-sized businesses with a turnover of up to £500 million, operating in any sector.
Where do I go for more information?
Prospective borrowers should contact the fund managers listed on the HM Treasury website here.
NEW ENTERPRISE ALLOWANCE
Money and support to help those on certain benefits to start their own business.
Who qualifies for this guarantee?
Those aged over 18 years who have a business idea and are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income support
as a lone parent or Employment Support allowance (those in the work-related activity group).
What is available?
A loan to help with start-up costs and a weekly allowance of up to £1,274 paid over 26 weeks. This does not affect
a recipient’s Housing Benefit, tax credits or Income Tax. On-going support from a mentor is also available.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the UK Government website here. Prospective borrowers should contact their
local Jobcentre Plus for more information.
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EQUITY INVESTMENT AND LOANS CONT’D
SEED ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEME (SEIS) AND ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEME (EIS)
Tax relief for individual investors to help companies raise equity finance.
Who qualifies for this tax relief?
Individuals investing in small early-stage companies of less than 25 employees with assets of fewer than £200,000
under SEIS and individuals investing in small high risk trading companies of less than 250 employees with assets
of fewer than £15 million under EIS.
What is available?
Individuals can receive income tax relief at 50% of the cost of the shares, up to a maximum annual investment of
£100,000 under SEIS. Shares must be held for at least three years. Any investors making capital gains in 2013-14
will receive a 50% capital gains tax relief when they reinvest those gains using SEIS in 2013-14 or 2014-15.
Individuals can receive income tax relief at 30% of the cost of the shares, up to a maximum investment of £1 million
under EIS. Other tax incentives also apply.
Companies can receive a maximum of £150,000 under SEIS. Companies can raise a maximum of £5 million in
any 12-month period from the UK Government’s three venture capital schemes – SEIS, EIS and VCTs.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the HM Revenue & Customs website here.
VENTURE CAPITAL TRUST SCHEME (VCT)
Tax relief for individual investors to help small higher risk companies raise equity finance indirectly through the
acquisition of shares in a VCT that has HMRC approval.
Who qualifies for this tax relief?
Individuals investing in VCT shares. Shares must be held for at least five years. The VCT invests in an eligible
company with less than 250 employees and assets of fewer than £15 million
What is available?
Individuals can receive income tax relief at 30% of the amount invested, up to a maximum investment of £200,000.
Other tax incentives also apply. Companies can raise a maximum of £5 million in any 12-month period from the UK
Government’s three venture capital schemes – SEIS, EIS and VCTs.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the HM Revenue & Customs website here.
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) FUNDING
R&D GRANT
Grants for industrial research and experimental development to improve company competitiveness and to benefit
the Scottish economy.
What type of project is eligible?
In Lowland Scotland, research and development in relation to new, altered, or significantly improved products,
processes or services which lead to a commercial return. In the Highlands & Islands funding is available for
fundamental research (experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the
underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any direct practical application or use in view).
How much funding is available?
Grants can cover up to 45% of eligible costs for SME projects up to £100,000 and up to 35% of eligible project
costs for SME projects above £100,000. Grants can cover up to 25% of eligible costs for large company projects.
Any grant above £100,000 must demonstrate a positive impact on R&D jobs in Scotland.
Where do I go for more information?
Funding is administered by the enterprise agencies and so information for the Highlands & Islands is available on
the HIE website and for the rest of Scotland information is available on the Scottish Enterprise website or by calling
0845 607 8787.
R&D TAX CREDITS
May be used by companies to reduce their corporation tax bill.
Who qualifies for this relief?
Organisations liable for corporation tax can get R&D tax relief. R&D which seeks to achieve an advance in overall
knowledge or capability in a field of science or technology through the resolution of scientific or technological
uncertainty - and not simply an advance in its own state of knowledge or capability - qualifies for relief.
How much relief is available?
SME’s1 tax relief on allowable R&D costs is 225%, with an upper limit of €7.5 million on the total amount of aid an
SME can receive on any one R&D project. Large company’s tax relief is 130%, with no upper limit.
Where do I go for more information?
HM Revenue & Customs website.
1 Note that for this scheme SME’s are companies with fewer than 500 employees and either an annual turnover not
exceeding 100 million euros or a balance sheet not exceeding 86 million euros
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R&D FUNDING CONT’D
TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD GRANTS
Funding competition programmes offering grants for collaborative innovation across focus areas.
What type of project is eligible?
Small proof -of-concept projects and feasibility studies through to large multi-partner collaborative R&D and
demonstration projects. Focus areas include high value manufacturing, advanced materials, biosciences,
electronics, sensors and photonics, information and communication technology, healthcare, food supply, transport,
space, energy, digital and the built environment. The project must demonstrate that it is industry driven and has
industry commitment.
How much funding is available?
It is usually a grant of between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of total R&D costs.
Where do I go for more information?
Further details and a list of the competitions are on the Technology Strategy Board website. Companies can
register onto the mailing list to be informed of any forthcoming competitions as and when they are announced.
EUREKA EUROSTARS
Funding for market-orientated R&D by research-performing SMEs2.
What type of project is eligible?
The project can address any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development
of a new product, process or service. The project should also be market-driven and must have a maximum
duration of three years. It should be foreseen that within two years of project completion the product of the research
will be ready for launch onto the market. There must also be at least one other participant from another Eurostars
member country in the consortium with no participant or country responsible for more than 75% of the declared
project costs. All SME participants must also fall within the EC’s definition of an SME.
How much funding is available?
In the UK the Technology Strategy Board will fund up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum grant level of €300,000 per UK partner in a Eurostars project. If there are 2 UK partners each partner can receive €300,000 grant separately. At least 50% of the total project costs related to R&D activities shall be carried out by the participating research-performing SMEs.
Where do I go for more information?
Further details are available on the Eurostars website. The national helpline 0300 321 4357 is the first point of
contact for any enquiries. The next call for funding applications will be in early 2014. Please note that Eurostars is
going to become part of Horizon 2020 (see below) and as some details of the Eurostars programme under Horizon
2020 have yet to be finalised, some of the programme details may change.
2 To be a research-performing SME 10% of full-time equivalent staff or 10% of turnover must be dedicated to R&D
activities.
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R&D FUNDING CONT’D
HORIZON 2020
The EU's main instrument for providing funding research and innovation. The content of the programme is
structured under three priorities; excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. Horizon 2020 will
combine all research and innovation funding previously provided through the Framework Programmes for
Research and Technical Development and innovation related activities previously covered by the Competitiveness
and Innovation Framework Programme and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
What type of activity is eligible?
Activities eligible under each priority are as follows:
Industrial leadership: A major component of 'Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies' are Key
Enabling Technologies. Activities in this area will include collaborative research projects combining innovation
activities with R&D. Projects should integrate and validate various technologies in an industrial environment aiming
to ready-for-the market systems. Strong private sector involvement will be a prerequisite. A new SME instrument
has also been introduced that will support SMEs to form collaborations and allow these for subcontracting research
and development work.
Societal challenges: Collaborative projects bringing together a critical mass of resources and knowledge across
different fields, technologies and scientific disciplines in order to address the specific challenge. Projects should
cover the full cycle from research to market, with a focus on innovation related activities, such as piloting,
demonstration, test-beds, support for public procurement, design, end-user driven innovation, social innovation and
market take-up of innovations. Activities will be focused on the seven societal challenges.
Excellent science: Activities will include; frontier research carried out by talented and creative individuals and their
teams (European Research Council grants), collaborative research for novel ideas and emerging technologies
through Future Emerging Technologies, research mobility, skills and training through the Marie Curie Actions and
development of Research Infrastructures.
How much funding is available?
The total budget over 7 years is €70.2 billion. Each specific call topic will have details of funding available. The
European Commission gives a grant contributing a certain percentage to project overall costs. There will be one
single reimbursement rate for all participants and activities in the same project. This will range from 100% for
research activities, to 70% for piloting and demonstration. Indirect costs will be reimbursed at a flat rate of 25%.
Where do I go for more information?
'Calls for Proposals' are published on annual basis under each of the themes identified within each priority
(Excellent Science, Industrial Leadership, Societal Challenges). More information is available on the European
Commission website. Advice and support by theme is available through a network of UK National Contact Points
with sector-specific expertise. As part of the Scottish Support Framework a Scottish National Contact Point has
been set up to help and advice researchers and organisations intending to participate in Scotland. Horizon 2020 is
expected to be launched towards the end of 2013. This will coincide with the opening of the first round of calls for
proposals.
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INNOVATION FUNDING
SMART:SCOTLAND GRANT
Grants to support innovation that represents technological advance for the UK industry or sector concerned and
which have a commercial impact. Grants are available for SMEs throughout Scotland.
What type of project is eligible?
Funding can be used to undertake technical and commercial feasibility studies or to develop a pre-production
prototype of a new product or process. Grants are only available to SMEs or for individuals planning to set up a
business, and university spin-out companies, provided they are based in Scotland or planning to set up in Scotland.
How much of a guarantee is available?
The maximum grant for commercial and feasibility studies is £100,000 at up to 75% intervention and for pre-
production prototypes and processes funding is up to £600,000 at a maximum intervention of 35%.
Where do I go for more information?
Funding is administered by Scottish Enterprise. Information about funding is available on the Scottish Enterprise
website or by calling 0845 607 8787.
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SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING – CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
CREATIVE SCOTLAND FUNDING
Grants for individual artists and art organisations in Scotland.
What type of project is eligible?
Funds are distributed via a variety of programmes divided by activity (rather than art form). Each programme has
its own application criteria. Open Funds support business starts ups. Some examples of how Open Funds are
categorised are offered below:
Innovation - aimed at digital content development
International - aimed at promotion of creative practitioner’s work internationally
Talent Incubators – aimed at leveraging talent into start-up
Quality Production – aimed at supporting music recording
Arts Programming – aimed at supporting live music performances
Where do I go for more information?
Details relating to individual programmes are available on the Creative Scotland website here. Individuals and
organisations can also call the enquiries service on 0845 603 6000.
SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING – LIFE SCIENCES
ROCK SPRING VENTURES EU
A venture capital fund focused on early-stage life science and health technology companies.
What type of project is eligible?
The Fund will invest in young companies developing novel approaches to unmet needs in the study and treatment
of major diseases and technologies designed to advance better healthcare delivery.
How much funding is available?
There is no maximum or minimum deal value, although initial investments are expected to be in the region of
£500,000 to £2m.
Where do I go for more information?
The fund is managed by Rock Spring Ventures, and Scottish Enterprise has invested in the Fund, alongside a
number of other investors. More information is available on the RSV website or by contacting RSV’s team on
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SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING - RENEWABLES AND RECYCLING
GREEN INVESTMENT BANK
Finance for projects which are both green and commercial and where capital is "additional" to available private
sector finance.
What type of project is eligible?
80% of funding is directed towards “priority sectors” for the bank, which are currently; offshore wind, waste
recycling and energy from waste, non-domestic energy efficiency, and support for the Government’s Green Deal.
The balance of funding will be deployed in the following "non-priority" sectors; biofuels for transport; biomass
power; carbon capture & storage; marine energy and renewable heat. The Green Investment Bank is not a lender
of last resort, a provider of grants, a taker of high risk for low reward or a provider of venture capital or development
equity.
Where do I go for more information?
Information about funding is available by getting in touch with the sector contacts detailed on their website or by
emailing the enquiries desk ([email protected]).
RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND
Loans, equity investments and guarantees (but not grant funding) for renewable energy projects.
What type of project is eligible?
Projects that will either:
Accelerate the growth of the marine renewable energy sector in Scotland
Increase community ownership of renewable energy projects in Scotland
Provide for district heating networks that utilise renewable heat technologies like heat pumps, biomass boilers
and solar thermal panels and other renewable energy projects
Projects in other areas that support the delivery of energy from a renewable source or are an innovative renewable
energy technology will also be considered.
How much funding is available?
There is no maximum or minimum deal value. In marine renewable energy investments, deal sizes could be in the order of several millions whereas for community owned renewable investments, these could be more variable and as small as a £100,000 or less.
Where do I go for more information?
Information about funding is available on the Scottish Enterprise website here or by calling 0845 607 8787.
Applicants can put their project forward for funding through completing this form.
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SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING - RENEWABLES AND RECYCLING CONT’D
SCOTTISH PLASTICS LOAN FUND
Fund to support the development of new mixed plastics recycling capacity in Scotland.
What type of project is eligible?
Projects to develop plastics recycling/processing infrastructure that are finding it difficult to obtain finance from the
usual commercial sources. The fund can provide asset backed loans for plant, machinery and/or groundwork’s.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the Zero Waste Scotland website or by calling 0808 100 2040. Expressions of
interest can be made through completing this form.
NATIONAL RENEWABLES INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Funding to support the development of port and near-port manufacturing locations for offshore wind turbines and
related developments including test and demonstration activity.
How do I apply?
Expressions of interest must be led by a site owner. Site owner only submissions will be considered. However
consortia submissions that are made by site owners and offshore wind site lease holders and/or manufacturers of
offshore renewables components, and submissions that demonstrate strong and identifiable market interest will be
considered higher priority.
The Fund will invest in projects where a strong business case is made, and make funding available on the basis of
funding need and likely impact of the investment on the development of a Scottish based manufacturing supply
chain for the offshore wind sector.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the Scottish Enterprise website or by calling Scottish Enterprise on 0845 607 8787.
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SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING – THIRD SECTOR
ENTERPRISE READY FUND
Funding to support the long-term development objectives of new, emerging and established enterprising third
sector organisations
What type of project is eligible?
The Enterprise Ready Fund offers funding to third sector organisations with an annual income of up to £5 million. It
will support organisations to; be in a strong financial position and be less reliant on grant funding, be more
innovative, self-sustainable and operate as robust, flexible, efficient and growing businesses, be best placed to win
more contracts, including with the public sector, be able to engage in coproduction (using service users and
representatives in the third sector to design services) and service (re)design (in particular using the Public Social
Partnership model), apply social benefits in the supply chain and in responding to contracts containing Community
Benefit Clauses, be best placed to take advantage of new business opportunities and replicate new business
models, be able to develop products and services and diversify into new markets, possess the skills and ability to
develop their businesses and improve self-sustainability and be more likely to succeed and advance through the
growth ‘pipeline’ Working capital or general running costs of organisations or services will not be funded. Nor will
activities which were supported with a grant from a previous Scottish Government programme.
How much funding is available?
Up to £250,000.
Where do I go for more information?
The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland and its partners and more information can be found here.
COMMUNITY JOBS SCOTLAND (CJS)
Funding for the creation of training opportunities aimed at helping unemployed young people into employment.
What type of project is eligible?
CJS is for third sector employers who create training opportunities for unemployed individuals aged 16-19 years,
unemployed vulnerable individuals aged 20-24 years or unemployed individuals with disabilities aged 16-24 years.
How much funding is available?
There us maximum funding of £5,250 per vacancy. This provides employers with a fixed sum to cover the cost of
induction, on the job training and job search support and provides a weekly wage for the trainee. Placements last
six or nine months and for 18 months in the case of part-time placements.
Where do I go for more information?
Community Jobs Scotland is managed by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and more
information can be found here.
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SECTOR SPECIFIC FUNDING - TOURISM
VISITSCOTLAND GROWTH FUND
Grants to cover marketing costs for tourism industry groups.
What type of project is eligible?
Projects aimed at increasing visitor numbers and reaching new target markets. The activity must be new or
additional, with groups demonstrating the ability to build on planned marketing activity in future years. Applications
are accepted from destination organisations and industry groups consisting of at least three separate tourism
businesses. All groups must have a constitution and a registered bank account.
How much funding is available?
Funding can cover 50% of approved marketing costs. Refer to the website for more information on upper and
lower limits.
Where do I go for more information?
More information is available on the VisitScotland website here. Due to significant demand, the current round of
Visit Scotland’s Growth Fund is now closed for applications but will reopen in late 2013.
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FUNDING FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Many local authorities offer a range of business support services to encourage economic development and regeneration. Some local authorities may also provide access to funding. This is often dependent on businesses offering services the local community needs. For example, support may be available for businesses starting up in rural areas. A list of the funding available from individual local authorities is provided below. Note that some schemes are funded by other organisations but administered by local authorities and other schemes are funded by local authorities but administered by other organisations. This can be subject to change and so it is worth checking your council's website or telephoning its business support unit for the latest information. Local authority Name of scheme Details
Aberdeen City and
Aberdeenshire
Councils
Aberdeen City and
Shire First Employee
Grant
A scheme to enable employers to set aside time and resources to
induct and train their first employee in Aberdeenshire. Grant
assistance of up to £1,000 is available.
Aberdeenshire
Council
Development Grant Financial assistance available to businesses and social enterprises
in Aberdeenshire for business development projects. Grants can
provide up to 50% of eligible costs or up to a maximum amount of
£15,000 whichever is the lower.
Aberdeenshire
Council
Job Creation Grant Financial assistance available to businesses in Aberdeenshire
where a significant number of jobs are being created. Grants are
awarded at a maximum of £2,000 per job where at least five jobs are
being created.
Aberdeenshire
Council
Rural Shop Support
Scheme
A scheme to help the development and diversification of rural retail
outlets in Aberdeenshire, which provide small communities with
general store and/or Post Office facilities. Grant assistance up to
£7,500 covering up to 50% of project costs is available.
Aberdeenshire
Council
Supporting
Aberdeenshire
Business (SAB)
Loans
Interest free and low interest loans available to businesses in
Aberdeenshire to fund the purchase of plant and equipment and
working capital. Any loan support is discretionary and will provide a
maximum of one third of project costs. Minimum loan awarded is
£5,000 and the maximum is £20,000 for the purchase of plant and
equipment and £25,000 for working capital.
Aberdeenshire
Council
Sustainable
Business Grant
Financial assistance available to businesses in Aberdeenshire to
adopt environmentally sustainable processes and energy efficiency
measures. Grants of up to £7,500 or 50% of the costs of the project
are available, whichever is the lesser.
Aberdeenshire
Council
Asset Fund for
Communities
Financial assistance to enable social enterprises and community
organisations, large and small, to look at developing an asset or
service that will give the organisation an ongoing income. The
minimum award is £500, the maximum award is £10,000 and it has
to be matched by at least 50% of funding from other sources.
Angus Council Angus Employment
Grant
A scheme to assist local businesses during the current unsettled
economic conditions in Angus. A capital grant of up to £500 is
available to support the creation of new potential "high impact" start-
up businesses. A wage subsidy of up to £500 is available to both
start-up and existing businesses that have never employed PAYE
staff before, to recruit their first employee. An additional amount of
up to £250 is available if that first employee is between the ages of
18 and 24 at the point of recruitment.
Angus Council Market Development
Grant
Financial assistance to encourage SMEs to access new markets via
exhibiting at trade exhibitions in the UK and overseas, participating
in overseas trade missions and sourcing potential new business.
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The Grant award provides 50% of eligible travel and accommodation
net costs for a first visit to a new market. The maximum award is
capped at £1,000.
Angus Council Rural Shops &
Community Post
Office Grant Scheme
A scheme to provide essential physical improvements to the interior
and exterior of the property associated with increasing the viability of
the business, making the shop more attractive to potential
customers and complying with Environmental Health and Food
Hygiene Regulations or any essential physical alterations which
must be carried out to satisfy Post office Counters Limited's
operational requirements in Angus. The maximum grant is £3,000 or
90% of approved works, whichever is the lower, or £2,500 if the
shop is less than three miles from the nearest provision.
Angus Council Angus Vocational
Training Fund
This training support scheme offers match funding for Angus
employees to undertake training. A maximum of £5000 is available
per company and can be used for third party training.
Clackmannanshire
Council
Clackmannanshire
Apprenticeship
Initiative
Provides eligible businesses with £50 per week for up to 2 years
towards the cost of recruiting each additional apprentice. This is in
addition to the contribution towards the cost of the training that Skills
Development Scotland will support.
Clackmannanshire
Council
Clackmannanshire
Works Small
Business Grant
Provides grant assistance for start-up and growing businesses,
normally up to a maximum of £1,000 based on 50% of eligible costs.
Clackmannanshire
Council
Youth Employment
Scotland
(Clackmannanshire)
Employer
Recruitment
Incentive
Financial incentive to businesses to create new employment
opportunities for unemployed Clackmannanshire residents aged 16-
24. Funding covers 50% of the minimum national wage for six
months.
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Outer Hebrides
Business Loan
Provision of loans to encourage business start-up and enable
business and community development in the Outer Hebrides. Loans
of up to £20,000 are available towards general start-up costs,
new/used plant and equipment, working capital, marketing, e-
commerce enablement and for upgrading tourist accommodation.
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Outer Hebrides
Small Business
Assistance Scheme
–Business Loan
This loan of up to £50,000, at a 4% interest rate (unsecured &
secured), or 6% interest rate (unsecured), is to assist new and
growing businesses & social enterprises to develop projects which
enhance their opportunities for growth, long-term sustainability and
whose activities will increase economic activity and employment.
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Outer Hebrides
Small Business
Assistance Scheme
– Micro Business
Loan
This ‘Interest-Free’ loan of up to £2,000 aims to encourage the
creation and growth of small businesses which can contribute to new
jobs in the local economy.
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Outer Hebrides
Small Business
Assistance Scheme
– Micro Business
Grant
This grant scheme, worth up to £5,000, is to assist new and growing
businesses & social enterprises with growth aspirations to develop
projects which enhance their opportunities for long-term
sustainability, including facilitating client access to specialist
advisory services.
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Inter-Island Business
Development
Scheme
Support available to businesses in the Outer Hebrides for assistance
with transport costs associated with increasing trade between the
three main island groupings. The normal level of support for phase 7
is a decreasing % over time, as per below. Once Road Equivalent
Tariff (RET) is introduced to Inter Island ferry routes, the scheme will
end – no grant will be paid out against travel in receipt of an RET
subsidy. The % of support applicable up until RET is introduced is
20% for the period 01/04/2013-31/03/2014 (12 months) and 10% for
the period 01/04/2014-31/03/2015 (12 months).
Comhairle nan
Eilean Siar
Outer Hebrides
Fisheries Support
Scheme
The Scheme aims to create and retain employment opportunities in
the Outer Hebrides by encouraging business development in the
fisheries sector. Assistance is available for the purchase of fishing
vessels of less than 24 metres in overall length, equipped to go
fishing at sea and be between 5 to 30 years old. Loans are up to
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40% of eligible project costs, subject to a maximum loan of
£100,000.
Dumfries and
Galloway Council
Financial Assistance
for Small Businesses
Grants for small and micro-sized businesses in Dumfries and
Galloway for projects that will enable business development and
sustainability. Grants can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs, to
a maximum amount of £5,000 although up to £10,000 may be
available in exceptional cases.
Dumfries and
Galloway Council
CX Project Grant
Scheme
Funding has been provided by NDA and Magnox Ltd through the
"Beyond Chapelcross" programme. This scheme is open to new
start and existing businesses in Annandale and Eskdale that can
demonstrate actual or predicted profitability. They must also show
that they may create additional employment. The scheme operates
on a match-funding basis with the limit of the contribution being 50
percent of the eligible project costs. Businesses can receive up to
£5,000, although £10,000 may be available in exceptional growth
circumstances.
Dumfries and
Galloway Council
Dumfries and
Galloway European
Fisheries Fund
A fund to increase the capacity of local fishing communities and
business networks to build knowledge and skills, innovate and co-
operate in order to tackle local fisheries development objectives in
Dumfries and Galloway. It is anticipated that most projects will be
required to supply between 25% and 50% of the total project costs.
Closing December 2013.
Dumfries and
Galloway Council
Let’s Talk Shop This programme offers free specialist advice and grant support to
independent retail shops in the region. It consists of a training
workshop, an in-shop surgery and a 12-month performance review.
A grant award of £500 is paid to assist the implementation of the
recommendations of the surgery.
Dundee City
Council
Dundee
Development Grant
A scheme to encourage those who want to start their own business
to take the next step and formalise their business ideas in Dundee.
Maximum possible grant award is linked to the number of jobs
created by the project, according to; one full time job - £750, two full
time jobs - £1,500, three or more jobs - £2,250. The grant will not
exceed £2,250 or 20% of project costs - whichever is the lower.
Dundee City
Council
Small Business
Finance (Dundee)
Limited
Provides financial support to new start-up and existing businesses.
Assistance normally takes the form of a loan (minimum £2,500 to a
maximum of £25,000), at a fixed interest rate.
Dundee City
Council
Overseas Market
Development Grants
A grant aimed at assisting and encouraging Dundee companies to
access new overseas markets. The grant award provides 50% of
eligible travel and accommodation costs for a first visit to a new
overseas market or 25% of eligible travel and accommodation costs
for a second visit to the same overseas market. The maximum grant
award is capped at £1,000
Dundee City
Council
Dundee Visual
Artists & Craft
Makers Award
Scheme
These schemes have been established to support Dundee-based
visual artists and craft practitioners in their creative and professional
development. Awards are available up to a maximum of £1,500.
East Ayrshire
Council
Business Grant
Programme
Supports new and growing businesses based in East Ayrshire who
are looking to undertake business growth projects e.g. new product
development, marketing activities, attendance at trade shows,
consultancy services. The grant can cover 40% of total costs up to a
maximum of £5000.
East Ayrshire
Council
Ayrshire Loan Fund Supports new and growing businesses based in Ayrshire that are
unable to attract the level of investment required to get their projects
off the ground. The Fund is actively promoted to businesses
operating in the tourism, retail and food and drink sectors. Loans up
to £50,000 are available. The loan can be up to 75% of the funding
package. The balance of the funding package must be provided by
the private sector.
East Ayrshire
Council
Training Grant Provides financial support for employed East Ayrshire residents.
This must be training towards developing the individual not the
business. 80% of total costs can be funded for the individual to
undertake an accredited training programme (this cannot be
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mandatory or statutory training). The business or the individual must
meet the other 20% of costs.
East Ayrshire
Council
Youth Employment
Support
Provides local companies with the opportunity to employ a young
person (16-24) with a recruitment incentive of 50% towards national
minimum wage (age dependent) for a maximum of 40 hours a week,
for a 26-week period.
East
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business Training
Grant
Financial assistance available to businesses in East Dunbartonshire
for employee training. Grants of up to 50% of the total training costs
(max £3,000 per company/per annum) are available.
East
Dunbartonshire
Council
Growth Investment
Grant
Financial assistance for established businesses in East
Dunbartonshire that require assistance with growth projects.
Assistance is available up to £3,000 covering up to 30% of costs.
East
Dunbartonshire
Council
Employer Fund This fund is designed to helping small business owners grow
through increasing capacity via staff recruitment. The grant, up to
the value of £750 , can be allocated towards capital costs incurred
when taking on your first employee (16-25 year old), long-term
unemployed person.
East
Dunbartonshire
Council
E-Commerce Grant A grant to assist new or established businesses located within East
Dunbartonshire to implement a project to increase the e-commerce
activities of the business by providing online sales activities for its
customers. This grant is available to both new and established
businesses and can contribute up to 50% of a business’s
expenditure with a maximum grant of £750.
East
Dunbartonshire
Council
The New Enterprise
Fund
Supports businesses before and during their formative stages. The
programme will provide a small number of £300 grants each month
on a competitive basis to individuals who are planning or have just
commenced a new business. The grant can be used to cover most
expenses of a new business except going costs such as salary, rent
and utilities.
East Lothian
Council
East Lothian
Business
Development Grant
Grant available to businesses in the East Lothian area for projects
that will further their growth and development. A grant of up to a
maximum of £5,000 covering up to 50% of project costs is available.
East Lothian
Council
East Lothian Interest
Free Loan Fund
Loans are provided by East Lothian Investments Ltd; an
independent loan making body. They are available to start-up and
existing businesses based in East Lothian for expansion and
development projects that are commercially viability and have
potential to create employment and additional demand for products
and services. The maximum loan is £10,000 for new businesses or
£25,000 for businesses trading more than two years.
East Lothian
Council
Tourism
Development
Funding
Funding for organisations and groups of 3 or more businesses in
East Lothian wishing to develop tourism projects. The council will
provide the minimum amount required in order for the project to go
ahead - up to 50 percent of the total project costs and to a maximum
of £10,000.
East Renfrewshire
Council
Training Support
Grants
The Council will provide up to 50% of costs towards training for
existing staff. This must be training towards developing the
individual and not the business.
East Renfrewshire
Council
Industrial Property
Support Grant
Grants are available for modification, alteration, refurbishment or
expansion of industrial property, which also includes land, access,
roads, boundary walls and fences, demolition and landscaping
works. No amount specified.
East Renfrewshire
Council
Barrhead Shop Front
Improvement
Scheme
A grant to improve shop fronts in Barrhead town centre in East
Renfrewshire. Grant assistance of up to £3,500 is available to cover
up to 50% of project costs.
Falkirk Council Falkirk Business
Grants Scheme
A scheme to assist businesses to invest for growth in Falkirk. The
maximum grant will be 50% of the value of the project up to a
maximum grant of £3,000.
Falkirk Council BP Business Loan
Fund
Unsecured loan finance to assist the start-up, development and
growth of businesses within the Falkirk area. Loans of up to £10,000
are available.
Fife Council Fife Investment Fund Grants and loans to invest and grow businesses in Fife employing
23
up to 50 people in manufacturing, business to business services, or
tourism. Assistance is available for plant and machinery, property
improvements, product development, process improvement, training
and market development. No amount specified.
Glasgow City
Council
Start Up Grant A grant of up to a maximum of £1,000 available to applicants at the
pre-start stage or who have been trading up to 6 months, who meet
the eligibility criteria.
Glasgow City
Council
Enterprise Growth in
Glasgow Grant
Enterprise Growth in Glasgow Grant is a discretionary grant
designed to encourage the development of businesses in Glasgow.
It is targeted at companies with growth potential and who want to
retain, develop and create new jobs by developing an e-commerce
service provision and are trading from commercial premises. A
grant of up to a maximum of 80% of the total planned expenditure
will be awarded up to a maximum of £1,000.
Glasgow City
Council
Skills and Business
Growth Programme
Grants are awarded to assist companies in Glasgow in raising the
level of skills of their existing workforce, by supporting a training
programme offering a variety of skills. A grant of up to 80% is
available towards the payment of external trainers' fees. A
contribution may also be made for travel and accommodation for
trainees who, as a part of the training programme, must spend at
least one night away from home. No amount specified.
Glasgow City
Council
Glasgow New
Business Fund
Support for new start businesses seeking to locate within the
Glasgow City Council boundary through part funding towards
premises costs over a four year period. The maximum financial
contribution is limited to £15,000 per business on the reducing basis
80%, 40%, 20% and 10% for 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd
year and 4th
year.
Highland Council Employment Grant A scheme designed to support firms in the Highland Council area
seeking to take on new workers in additional, permanent jobs. The
level of grant payable will as a minimum be based on the National
Minimum Wage Rates. However, approval may be sought to exceed
the minimum if, for example, it reflects the market rate for the post.
The grant is available at three rates: 30% of the eligible gross wage
is the standard grant payable; 40% is payable towards the
recruitment of a person unemployed for more than 3 months; and
50% available for the recruitment of a disabled person – those
accessing Employment Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefits.
Highland Council Graduate Placement
Programme
A programme providing businesses with specialist recruitment
advice and funding support to employ a graduate who will deliver a
project of significant importance to the growth of the business. The
minimum salary that must be paid is £15,500 per annum. The
Highland Council will fund 50% of the salary up to a maximum salary
of £16,300 per annum.
Highland Council The Opportunity
Fund
Low interest loans available to businesses in the Highlands area of
Scotland for assistance with start-up or development costs. Loans
are available from £1,000 to £250,000. The funding provider has
advised that loans above £50,000 will only be provided in
exceptional circumstances. Loans of £1,000 to £50,000 can be
unsecured. Loans of over £50,001 will require security. Loans up to
£250,000 will only be provided with a robust business plan.
Highland Council International Trade
Fair Funding
A grant scheme aimed at helping small businesses to explore new
opportunities in Europe. The grant, of up to £400, is being made
available to businesses that wish to attend a fair as a visitor, but not
as an exhibitor.
Highland Council Community
Enterprise Loan
Fund
Financial assistance available to non-profit distributing community
enterprises in the Highlands area of Scotland to establish or develop
their services. Loans can range from £1,000 to £50,000.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Business
Development Grant
A scheme to support businesses that are in a growth phase in
Inverclyde. Grant support can provide up to 50% of project costs to a
maximum amount of £5,000.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Launch
Pad Grant
A scheme to assist business start-ups with general start-up costs in
Inverclyde. In 2013/14 grant support of up to 100% of total costs to a
24
maximum of £1,000 is available.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Property
Assistance Scheme
Financial assistance available to businesses in Inverclyde for
property improvement works. The scheme offers support of up to
50% of costs, up to a maximum of £10,000.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Small
Business Assistance
Grant
A scheme to ensure the stimulation of business growth in Inverclyde.
Grant support can provide up to 50% of project costs to a maximum
amount of £5,000.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Small
Business Loan
Scheme
Interest free loan scheme to provide gap funding to encourage the
creation and growth of SMEs in Inverclyde. The maximum loan is
£5,000.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Small
Business Marketing
Grant
A grant designed to help fund marketing activities essential to the
continued success of local businesses in Inverclyde. Grant support
can provide up to 50% of project costs to a maximum amount of
£1,000.
Inverclyde Council Inverclyde Tourism
Business Grant
A scheme to provide assistance for business development activities
for tourism related activities in Inverclyde. Grants can fund a
maximum of 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum amount of £1,000.
Midlothian
Council
Shop Front
Improvement Grants
The Dalkeith Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and Conservation
Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) offers grants to improve certain
historic buildings within the boundary of the THI and CARS. In
addition to repairs to building facades, improvement grants for the
repair of traditional shop fronts are also available.
Midlothian
Council
Midlothian Small
Business Loan
Low interest loan finance designed to support the development of
new and small growing businesses based in Midlothian. Eligible
costs include the purchase of plant and equipment, fitting out of
premises and working capital. Up to 50% match funding with a
maximum loan of £5,000.
Midlothian
Council
Childminder Grant Up to £250 grant to help meet the Childcare Commission’s
requirements for registration as a childminder.
North Ayrshire
Council
Jobs Access
Initiative
Financial assistance available to companies to take on unemployed
individuals that live in North Ayrshire in new and permanent jobs
within the company. Grant will provide a maximum of 50% of the
gross wages of the employee, to a maximum amount of £110 per
week - payable over a maximum of 26 weeks.
North Ayrshire
Council
Youth Employment
Support
An initiative to provide local companies with the opportunity to
employ a young person (16-24) with a wage subsidy of 75% towards
gross wage costs for 35 hours a week, covering a 6 month period.
North Ayrshire
Council
Graduate Scheme A new service that can provide businesses with a customised wage
subsidy support package to take on an unemployed graduate
residing in North Ayrshire.
North Ayrshire
Council
Barriers Into
Employment
This project aims to support and assist parents who want to return to
or stay in work but are struggling because of childcare problems or
high childcare costs. It can provide parents with confidential advice
and guidance and childcare funding.
North Ayrshire
Council
Job Rotation
Programme
This programme funds the placement of employees in local
businesses to help employers send existing staff for training.
North Ayrshire
Council
Skills for Growth
Programme
This programme helps local businesses develop their workforce. Supported by the European Social Fund (ESF), the programme assists with employee training costs to allow businesses to take advantage of new markets or business opportunities. Assistance is also provided to community and social enterprises to support their growth and long-term sustainability.
North Ayrshire
Council
Business Growth
Programme
The programme helps businesses attract investment and funding and make best use of their resources. In most instances up to 50% of training costs (excluding VAT) is available.
North Lanarkshire
Council
North Lanarkshire
Town Centre
Business Grant
The aim of the scheme is to support the cost of developing and
promoting a business in North Lanarkshire. Grants assistance up to
£1,000 is available.
North Lanarkshire
Council
Sustainable
Business Growth
Fund
This fund is targeted at new and existing businesses based in North
Lanarkshire that are undertaking a business growth project in one of
the following areas:
Capital expenditure (purchase of machinery and equipment) - a
grant of up to 50% of eligible project costs, to a maximum grant
25
of £10,000.
Infrastructure improvement (expansion, conversion or other
improvement to the physical infrastructure of the business
premises) - a grant of up to 50% of eligible project costs, to a
maximum grant of £10,000.
Consultancy support (commissioning of external consultancy
services to support a growth project e.g. business planning,
development of marketing strategies, etc) - a grant of up to 50%
of eligible project costs, to a maximum grant of £2,000.
Training - a grant of up to 50% of eligible training costs, to a
maximum of £3,000.
Exhibitions/trade missions - a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs,
to a maximum of £1,000 for UK and £2,000 for international.
Orkney Islands
Council
Financial Assistance
and Advice for
Renewables
Funding for the establishment or expansion of companies in the
renewables sector operating in the Orkney Islands. The Council
normally offers grants of up to 40% of capital costs in the knowledge
and technology sector.
Orkney Islands
Council
Flexible Business
Development Grant
A scheme focused on supporting investments in business growth,
increasing competitiveness, and the survival of businesses on the
Orkney Islands. The type of expenditure which could attract grant
funding could include: capital costs, marketing costs for external
market opportunities and skills development. The scheme will offer
from £750 - £5,000 covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Orkney Islands
Council
Reserve Fund
Assistance
The Council offers advice, support and financial assistance to help
businesses establish themselves, expand and develop. The Council
encourages business innovation and so applications for assistance
on larger, more diverse projects are considered by the Development
Committee as they emerge. Sector-wide schemes which aim to
spread the benefits throughout an entire sector rather than at the
level of individual business are also encouraged provided they meet
the objectives of encouraging economic diversification; raising the
average wage rate; and/or overcoming barriers to export. Assistance
is not usually provided to businesses in the retail goods/services
sector. However, support may be awarded towards the setting up of
an innovative, new service, not already available in Orkney, provided
it is not just a marginal modification of an existing business. All
assistance is awarded at the discretion of the Council, with the
maximum assistance available within the scheme being a grant of
up to 40% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant of £55,000.
Eligible projects will have a minimum eligible expenditure of £5,000.
Orkney Islands
Council
Reserve Fund: New
Business Start Up
Support
Business Gateway can offer grants of up to £1,500 to help establish
new businesses in Orkney. Money can be used towards any form of
start-up cost including marketing, training and/or capital equipment.
Orkney Islands
Council
Reserve Fund:
Business Expansions
Reserve Fund assistance available to businesses in the Orkney
Islands for business expansion projects. Maximum grant can provide
up to 40% of capital expenditure, to a maximum amount of £55,000.
Minimum project cost is £5,000.
Orkney Islands
Council
Reserve Fund:
Graduate Placement
Scheme
Financial assistance is available to businesses in the Orkney Islands
for salary costs associated with hiring a graduate. Grant support will
cover a maximum of 25% of a graduate salary and National
Insurance costs, up to a maximum of £5,000 for one year.
Orkney Islands
Council
Reserve Fund:
Marketing Assistance
Financial assistance available for promotion and marketing for new
events and festivals taking place in the Orkney Islands outside of the
main tourist season. Any financial support is discretionary.
Applicants should contact the funding provider direct to discuss
levels of funding.
Orkney Islands
Council
Rural Shop
Improvement
Scheme
Financial assistance available to island and rural shops in the
Orkney Islands for necessary improvement works. Island shops
(where the shop provides the only service on the island) are eligible
for assistance for up to 75% of project costs, to a maximum amount
of £10,000. Other island and mainland shops (outwith Kirkwall,
Stromness, St. Margaret's Hope and Finstown) are eligible for up to
26
50% of project costs, to a maximum amount of £10,000. Shops in
St. Margaret's Hope, Finstown and Stromness are eligible for up to
25% of project costs, to a maximum amount of £10,000. The
maximum level of support may be accessed in one major project or
over several cumulative ones.
Perth and Kinross
Council
Perth and Kinross
Business Growth
Grant
Financial assistance is available to local businesses in Perth and
Kinross looking to undertake viable growth projects. The maximum
grant available is £20,000 covering up to 50% of project costs.
Perth and Kinross
Council
Perth and Kinross
Overseas Market
Development Grant
A scheme designed to help remove barriers for growth businesses
considering internationalisation as part of their growth strategy in
Perth and Kinross. Grant assistance is available up to a maximum of
£2,000 covering up to 50% of project costs.
Perth and Kinross
Council
Business
Consultancy Grant
The scheme will offer financial assistance to small and medium
sized firms seeking to expand and grow their business. Subject to
prior approval the Council may also assist in funding of up to 50% to
a maximum of £2,500 to support the cost of professional business
consultant advice.
Renfrewshire
Council
Renfrewshire
Business Training
Support
A scheme to assist local SMEs to undertake face to face or online
training that will support employees training needs and support
company growth. Up to 50% of training costs for employees of the
business can be covered. If there is no local training provided, then
a contribution to travel, and accommodation costs, may be made
(50% of standard rail/air fares and £30 per night accommodation).
Renfrewshire
Council
Renfrewshire Retail
Improvement
Scheme
A scheme aimed at encouraging high standard physical
improvements to properties within retail areas throughout
Renfrewshire. This includes properties within Paisley Town Centre,
for which grant assistance was previously available under the
Paisley Town Centre Property Improvement Grant Scheme. The
grant is calculated at the sole discretion of Renfrewshire Council but
can be up to 80% of eligible costs, with a minimum grant of £800
and a maximum of £10,000.
Renfrewshire
Council
Business Venture
Fund
Provides financial assistance towards upgrading or expanding
premises and investing in new capital equipment (excluding motor
vehicles). For upgrading or expanding premises 50% of costs up to
a maximum grant of £8,000 is available. For capital equipment 30%
of costs up to a maximum of £4,000 is available.
Renfrewshire
Council
Business Growth
Fund
Provides financial assistance of up to 50% of project costs, up to a
maximum of £10,000 to SMEs in the following areas:
Business innovation: To help promote new and developing
innovative products, services or processes which have an
economic impact within the local area. Preference will be given to
those projects which lead to increased job creation. Financial
support will assist with specific consultancy requirements, hiring
of expertise and private specialists
ICT: To help identify, introduce and implement new ICT products
and processes needed to increase visibility to customers,
improve the use of customer information or safeguard against e-
crime.
Tourism: To increase the number of visitors to Renfrewshire,
enhance their experience and encourage them to have longer
stays in the area.
Exhibitions: To help businesses access new markets by
exhibiting at major trade shows in the UK and overseas. The
market targeted must be a new market to the company and
market research should have been carried out in advance of the
visit.
Development support: assists local businesses looking to
undertake viable growth projects. The business must be able to
demonstrate that any proposed project is essential to business
growth and that it will have a positive economic impact on the
local area and lead to job creation. Feasibility studies: assists businesses, especially business
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cooperatives, community trusts and social enterprises with the
costs associated in the investigation of the viability of a new
business proposition.
Renfrewshire
Council
Microloan Fund The fund aims to support the creation of new enterprises and the
growth of existing micro and small businesses that have potential to
create jobs and generate additional economic value. Unsecured
loans of between £1,000 and £5,000 are available with repayment
terms of up to 2 years to both new and existing businesses which
are unable to secure funding elsewhere but have a viable business
capable of repaying a loan.
Renfrewshire
Council
Graduate Internship
Programme
Provides businesses with assistance to employ a graduate for a
meaningful, short-term project which will also allow the businesses
to expand the scope of their work. The graduate must have a clearly
defined role and be employed full-time for between four and 11
months. An allowance of £270 per week (up to a 70% subsidy for
the first six months up to £5,000 is available).
Scottish Borders
Council
Scottish Borders
Business Fund
A scheme aiming to respond to barriers of access to finance and
provide small businesses with financial assistance to develop
projects that would not otherwise happen without a grant from
Scottish Borders Council. Grants can fund a maximum of 50% of the
project costs, to a maximum amount of £4,000.
Scottish Borders
Council
Scottish Borders
Loan Fund
The Fund will provide essential loans to small businesses as part of
a 12 month pilot, and will be backed up with independent business
support from experienced Business Gateway advisers. Loans of up
to £5,000 will be available to start-up businesses repayable over a
term of up to 2 years. Established businesses will be able to borrow
up to £10,000, repayable over a term of up to 3 years.
Scottish Borders
Council
Coastal Area Grants
Scheme
European Fisheries Fund (EFF) Axis 4 funding to support a diverse
range of projects, including; providing skills training for local people,
enhancing environmental protection, developing community
renewable energy projects and making improvements to tourism
services to attract more visitors. Axis 4 funding support can be
granted at a maximum 90% for community projects. However the
fund is competitive and intervention rates will be determined by the
FLAG dependent on the funding gap demonstrated in each
application. There is no minimum grant amount. The rate for
business projects is 10 – 50% of total eligible project costs,
dependent on the projected benefits of the project and the business
case for funding. The maximum grant available is £100,000 but in
exceptional circumstances the FLAG may award larger grants, or up
to 60% support. Closing November 2013.
Scottish Borders
Council
Kelso Townscape
Heritage Initiative
A project aimed at the regeneration of the Historic Centre of the
Kelso Conservation Area. Home or Business owners will be able to
apply for funding for external fabric repairs through Building Repair
Grants. These will generally focus on the repair or reinstatement of
traditional materials and / or features which will secure the existing
building fabric for the future. Currently grant offers can be made to
owners until September 2013 however this is subject to an ongoing
review and the allocation of available funding.
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland Business
Energy Efficiency
Scheme
A scheme enabling Shetland-based SMEs to implement energy
efficiency measures at their business premises. All projects will be
funded by the following formula:
Grant (SIC 60% and ERDF 40%) – 50%.
Applicant – 50%.
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland Business
Growth Research
Scheme
A scheme to encourage investment into new commercial
opportunities in Shetland by supporting the initial research work that
is necessary to understand how to develop new products or
processes. A grant of 50% of eligible costs of the project up to a
maximum grant of £25,000 is available.
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland
Discretionary
Delegated Authority
A scheme to stimulate growth in wealth creating businesses in
Shetland. A grant of 30% of the cost of the project up to a ceiling
grant of £25,000 is available.
28
Scheme
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland Marketing
Development
Programme for
Business
Financial assistance is available to Shetland firms to assist
businesses and approved trading organisations that are developing
commercial products and services to benefit the Shetland economy.
The scheme can award grants up to 50% of eligible costs to a
cumulative annual limit of £10,000 for any individual company. A
higher allowance may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland Rural
Shops Improvement
Scheme
This scheme aims to retain and develop the network of rural shops
in Shetland through supporting improvement projects. A grant of
50% of eligible costs of the project up to a maximum grant of
£10,000. A working capital grant of £5,000 is also available for
certain developments at the discretion of the Council.
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland Seafood
Marketing Scheme
A scheme aiming to assist businesses that are developing
commercial seafood products and services to benefit the Shetland
economy. The scheme aims to maximise the potential value of the
Shetland seafood industry. The scheme will operate through the
provision of up to 50% grant funding to successful applicants up to a
maximum ceiling of £10,000 within a 36 month period.
Shetland Islands
Council
Shetland Tourism
Financial Assistance
Scheme
A scheme aiming to improve the range, distribution and quality of
accommodation and services available to visitors in Shetland,
outside Lerwick. The scheme can offer 30% grant funding towards
eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £45,000.
Shetland Islands
Council
Financial Support for
Childminders
Scheme 2013-2016
The purpose of the scheme is to provide support to childminders
who have committed to support working parents, but for reasons
outwith their control, are temporarily unable to generate sufficient
income to sustain their service. Assistance is available for new and
established providers. Grants vary by numbers of hours per week.
Shetland Islands
Council
Private Sector
Housing Estate
Development
Bridging Loan
Scheme
Commercial loans offered as bridging funding for private sector
building companies developing new housing estates in the Shetland
Islands. Loan assistance is available for up to 75% of eligible costs.
The maximum loan is £300,000. In exceptional cases the
Development Committee can award loans in excess of £300,000 on
a case-by case basis.
Shetland Islands
Council
Delegated Scheme
for Loans to
Purchase Fishing
Vessel Licence
and/or Quota
Commercial loans are available to fishing businesses in Shetland
that are engaged in whitefish catching for the purchase of whitefish
quota and licences. The scheme will consider applications for loans
of up to 75% of the cost of whitefish quota and/or licence, under a
ceiling level of £200,000.
Shetland Islands
Council
Loans and Other
Commercial
Investment
Measures
Commercial funding for businesses operating in the Shetland
Islands that require high levels of investment to enable projects that
have significant economic development impact potential in Shetland,
principally at wealth creation, to take place. The Council investments
will not exceed more than 75% of the cost of any project, but no
amount is specified.
South Ayrshire
Council
Collaborative Growth
Fund
Funding available to business cooperatives in South Ayrshire to
undertake collaborative projects that will enhance economic impact
by reducing costs, increasing revenue and enabling access to new
markets. The maximum intervention rate is 50%. The maximum
grant level is calculated on a sliding scale (between £5,000 and
£10,000) according to the total value of the project.
South Lanarkshire
Council
South Lanarkshire
Business Support
Grant
A scheme aimed at assisting businesses to grow in South
Lanarkshire. Grant support is available up to a maximum of £20,000
in any one year to cover up to 75% of project costs.
South Lanarkshire
Council
Training Grant Financial assistance available to assist the development of South
Lanarkshire businesses through the structured training of key
company personnel. Funding can support up to 75% of eligible
training costs, to a maximum amount of £4,500.
South Lanarkshire
Council
South Lanarkshire
Works 4 U
A scheme to assist businesses with recruitment, training, reducing
costs and helping unemployed people back into work in South
Lanarkshire. South Lanarkshire Works 4 U provides:
Financial help with recruitment, including wages subsidies to
small to medium-sized businesses.
29
A comprehensive free recruitment service to make sure
businesses find the right candidate for the job.
Training to workless residents in South Lanarkshire, reducing
costs and making sure a new employee is job ready
South Lanarkshire
Council
External Expert Grants towards external consultancy costs. Examples could be a
business plan, e-commerce development, quality accreditations and
innovation support. The maximum grant award for any application
for External Expert support is up to £3,000 or 50% of the eligible
costs, whichever is the lower amount.
South Lanarkshire
Council
Capital Equipment A grant for businesses needing new capital equipment purchases to
grow or diversify. The maximum grant award is up to £10,000 or
50% of eligible project expenditure, whichever is the lower amount.
South Lanarkshire
Council
Infrastructure
Improvement
Grants for businesses which would grow with the help of expansion,
conversion, sub-division or other infrastructure improvements to the
business premises. Eligible infrastructure improvements can also
include cabling and ICT infrastructure, construction of walls or
fences. The maximum grant award is up to £10,000, or 50% of
eligible project expenditure, whichever is the lower amount.
South Lanarkshire
Council
Exploring New
Markets
Grants for businesses to grow by exploring new domestic and
international markets. This can cover costs to attend UK and
international trade events. All costs associated with the actual
exhibition; cost of exhibition space, stand and electricity will be
supported. The maximum grant award for any application is up to
£2,500 or 50% of the eligible costs whichever is the lower amount.
South Lanarkshire
Council
Clyde Wind Farm
Fund - Community
Fund
Grants are available for local projects which fall within a 15km radius
of the Clyde Wind Farm and benefit local residents. The Fund offers
two levels of funding. The Community Fund Small Grant Scheme
offers grants of £5,000 or less for up to 100% of total eligible costs.
The Community Fund offers grants of more than £5,000 for up to
90% of total eligible costs.
Stirling Council Tourism
Development Grant
Scheme
This scheme is designed to encourage collaboration between local
tourism businesses and to develop innovative tourism products and
improve the local tourism product offering. Funding is available
between £1,000 and £2,000.
The City of
Edinburgh
Council
Edinburgh Small
Business Loan Fund
Interest free loan finance designed to support the development of
new or recently established businesses based in Edinburgh. The
maximum loan is £2,500.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business Start-Up
Grant
Financial support available to people in the West Dunbartonshire
area to assist with starting a business. Grant assistance is available
up to £500.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business Training
Support
Financial assistance available to companies in West Dunbartonshire
for workforce training that will improve business competitiveness.
Match funding up to 75% will be paid for the external trainer’s fees.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business Property
Improvement Grant
Financial support available to people in the West Dunbartonshire
area to assist with starting a business. Grant assistance is available
up to £500.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business Capital
Grant
Grant funding available to existing businesses throughout West
Dunbartonshire for capital expenditure on equipment or machinery
to improve business performance and safeguard or create jobs. The
grant provides access to discretionary funding of up to 30% of the
business's capital expenditure, up to a maximum of £3,000.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Export Development
Grant
The aim of the grant is to assist businesses to attend overseas trade
shows to allow them to test markets, attract new customers, source
agents or distributors and make sales. The grant can be used to
assist with the cost of travel, accommodation and exhibitor space.
Up to 50% match funding with a maximum grant of £2,000 is
available.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business ICT Grant An ICT grant scheme to provide financial support to businesses who
are introducing and developing new systems to improve business
performance in West Dunbartonshire. The programme is designed
to support businesses in getting the most from their existing IT with
the introduction of new systems and software and to assist with the
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implementation of new ICT equipment. Grants can fund a maximum
of 30% of costs, to a maximum amount of £3,000.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Business Innovation
Grant
Financial assistance available to existing businesses in West
Dunbartonshire to develop innovative products and services. Grants
can fund a maximum of 30% of costs, to a maximum amount of
£3,000.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Tourism Small Grant
Scheme
A scheme to support innovative tourism activities and projects which
are designed to encourage people to work collaboratively to
increase visitor numbers and tourism revenue in the West
Dunbartonshire area. The scheme provides matched funding of up
to £2,000 per eligible project.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Energy Efficiency
Support
A programme which provides expert advice on ways to lower costs,
reduce risks, environmental issues, efficiency opportunities, tax
breaks, etc. specific to your business sector. The support package
provides funding for expert advice to a maximum of £2,000.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
E-Commerce Grant The E-Commerce grant provides funding for the development and
implementation of an E-Commerce strategy that can be shown to
improve business performance. The funding can provide 30% of
approved project cost, to a maximum of £3,000.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Employment Grant A financial incentive to businesses to create new employment
opportunities for West Dunbartonshire residents aged 25 and over
who would otherwise be unemployed / economically inactive. The
subsidy is payable for a maximum 26 weeks, covering 50% of gross
wages, with a maximum payment of £150 per week.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
Youth Employment
Grant
A financial incentive to businesses to create new employment
opportunities for West Dunbartonshire residents aged between 16
and 24. The subsidy is payable for a maximum 26 weeks, covering
50% of National Minimum Wage.
West
Dunbartonshire
Council
First Employee Grant A grant to encourage businesses to create employment
opportunities within West Dunbartonshire. The programme will
provide a grant of up to £1,000 to businesses to assist them with the
costs of taking on their first employee.
West Lothian
Council
Shopfront
Improvement Grants
Financial assistance available to retailers in Armadale, Bathgate,
Broxburn & Uphall and Whitburn for shop front improvement works.
West Lothian
Council
West Lothian
Development Trust
Funds
The purpose of the fund is to assist communities within 10km of any
windfarm development. The Trust administers two grant funds, one
from Blacklaw Windfarm and one from Pateshill Windfarm. Projects
should meet one of the following priorities:
Relieve poverty, advance education or social purposes beneficial
to an eligible community
Promote and encourage environmental improvement or
enhancement
Secure investment, create employment, implement training,
promote or secure sustainable development
Provide or assist in the provision of renewable energy
Both grant funds have two strands of funding, a small grants fund of
up to £2,000 and a main grants fund of up to £25,000. A maximum
of 70% intervention rate applies to both grants.
West Lothian
Council
Youth Enterprise
Grant
Exclusive to businesses within the first 18 months of trading,
individuals between the ages of 18-30 can apply for a £1,000 grant
to help support them in growing their new business.
West Lothian
Council
Enterprise Grant Exclusive to businesses within the first 18 months of trading. Grant
support of up to £1,500 for businesses looking to build capacity with
the potential to provide additional employment.
West Lothian
Council
Project Grant Aims to help firms enhance their competitive edge through capacity
building and efficiency improvements. Up to £10,000 against at least
£20,000 of eligible costs.
West Lothian
Council
Growth Assistance
Project
Applicants need to demonstrate that the proposed project will be
strategic to the development of the business by improving
competitiveness and creating (or safeguarding) jobs. Support will be
considered for projects involving total eligible costs of at least
£100,000.
31
Local authorities also run the following joint schemes: Local authorities Name of scheme Details
Angus Council
Dundee City Council
The City of Edinburgh Council
Falkirk Council
Fife Council
Midlothian Council
Moray Council
Perth & Kinross Council
Stirling Council
West Lothian Council
East of Scotland
Investment Fund
Provides capital loans to fund growth requirements
of new and established SMEs. Loan funding of up
to £50,000 is available to SMEs operating across a
wide range of sectors for capital expenditure on
expansion and development projects, such as
purchase of plant and equipment, working capital,
or the purchase, refurbishment or expansion of
business premises.
Argyll and Bute Council
East Ayrshire Council
East Dunbartonshire Council
East Renfrewshire Council
Glasgow City Council
Inverclyde Council
North Ayrshire Council
North Lanarkshire Council
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
West of Scotland
Loan Fund
Loan finance for new and existing small and
medium sized businesses within the west of
Scotland. Loans can be used for the purchase of
plant and equipment (new or used), for the
provision of working capital and the purchase of
property. Loans cannot be used for speculative
property development or to obtain private cars.
Loans up to £50,000 are available to existing
businesses trading for more than 2 years, while
loans up to £30,000 can be arranged for new or
existing businesses trading for a shorter period.
Scottish Borders Council
Dumfries and Galloway Council
South of Scotland
Loan Scheme
The South of Scotland Loan Scheme is designed to
provide 'gap funding' loans for business growth
where there are clear economic benefits arising if
the project goes ahead. Loans of between £5,000
and £50,000 are available under the scheme to
eligible businesses.
Argyll and Bute Council
South Ayrshire Council
Argyll and Bute and
South Ayrshire
Fisheries Fund
A fund to support projects that promote economic
diversification and an improved quality of life in
traditional fishing communities and areas affected
by a decline in fishing activities in Argyll and Bute
and South Ayrshire. In an effort to maximise the
impact of funding the Fisheries Local Action Group
would prefer to support a limited number of
strategic projects. At this stage, the minimum
project size sought is £70,000 however projects of
a lesser value will be considered where they can
demonstrate significant impacts for fisheries
communities.
Clackmannanshire Council
Falkirk Council
Stirling Council
West Dunbartonshire Council
Sustainable Tourism
- Business Grant
Scheme for Forth
Valley and Lomond
LEADER area
A grant of up to 50% is available to support eligible
development costs (capital purchase or business
development) up to a maximum of £10,000.
Eligible areas include rural Clackmannanshire, rural
Falkirk, rural Stirling and part of West
Dunbartonshire.
Non-domestic rates relief
In addition a number of business rates relief schemes are also in place which have the impact of reducing a business’ tax bill and therefore freeing up resources to enable the company to invest in growing the business or taking on additional workers. Individual local authorities will be able to confirm eligibility for specific schemes but a summary of the current schemes is available here. In particular, the Small Business Bonus Scheme provides a discount of between 25 and 100 percent on rates bills for eligible business properties with a cumulative rateable value of £25,000 or less, subject to eligibility.
32
SKILLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
FLEXIBLE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Funding towards employee training which promotes improved workplace productivity.
What type of activity is eligible?
Scottish businesses with up to 100 employees can apply for funding. Types of training that can be funded are:
qualifications, masterclasses, learning based on National Occupational Standards, industry recognised
qualifications, supervisory and management training, workshops and taster sessions.
How much funding is available?
Up to £5,000 is available for up to 10 employees per business. Skills Development Scotland will refund up to 50%
of each episode of training up to a maximum of £500 for each employee.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information is on Skills Development Scotland’s Our Skillsforce website where businesses can download
the Flexible Training Opportunities application form. Or call Skills Development Scotland on 0800 783 6000.
MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
Contribution to the cost of training apprentices through the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme.
What type of activity is eligible?
Scottish businesses employing individuals aged 16-24 years that are looking to follow an approved MA framework
or individuals aged 25 years or over looking to follow a MA framework in a specified sector listed in the Funding
Model.
How much funding is available?
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will contribute between £500 and £9,000 (2013/14 rates) towards training,
depending on the type of apprenticeship and age of the apprentice. Information on the contribution levels for all
apprenticeship frameworks is on the ‘Provider Central’ website. The SDS contribution to the cost of training is
paid to the learning provider. The learning provider is responsible for registering the apprentice for the MA
programme, and for drawing down the funds to cover the training element. Employers are responsible for paying
the apprentice a wage while they undertake their apprenticeship training.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information about funding for Modern Apprenticeships on can be obtained at Skills Development Scotland’s
Our Skillsforce website or by calling a Skills Development Scotland Employer Engagement Adviser on 0800 783
6000.
33
SKILLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING CONT’D
ADOPT AN APPRENTICE
An incentive payment for employers taking on a Modern Apprentice who has been made redundant from another
employer.
What type of activity is eligible?
Scottish employers looking to recruit a skilled trainee following an approved Modern Apprentice framework.
How much funding is available?
An incentive payment of £2,000 is available for each apprentice recruited through the Adopt an Apprentice
programme. This will help cover wage and recruitment costs of taking them on.
Where do I go for more information?
Employers can download further information, including an application form and guidelines, from Skills Development
Scotland’s Our Skillsforce website. Interested employers can also speak to their local training provider or call the
Skills Development Scotland Employer Helpline on 0800 783 6000.
EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE – COMMONWEALTH GAMES SKILLS LEGACY
An incentive payment for employers recruiting Modern Apprentices in selected frameworks relating to the
Commonwealth Games.
What type of activity is eligible?
Where possible the employment opportunity can be linked to a sporting or cultural event but this is not mandatory.
The following Modern Apprenticeship frameworks are eligible for funding: Achieving Excellence in Sports
Performance Level 3, Active Leisure and Learning and Well Being Level 3, Creative Levels 2 and 3, Customer
Service Level 3, Facilities/Services Management Level 2, Food and Drink Operations Levels 2 sand 3, Horticulture
Levels 2 and 3, Hospitality Levels 2 and 3, Retail Levels 2 and 3 and Travel Services Level 2 and 3. Training will be
delivered by Skills Development Scotland contracted training providers. Employees should be aged 16 to 19 years
old and employers must have less than 150 employees.
How much funding is available?
There is a £1,500 incentive payment available for each Modern Apprentice recruited, staged over two payments.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information is on Skills Development Scotland’s Our Skillsforce website. If employers are interested in
accessing this fund to employ a Modern Apprentice they should check with SDS regarding availability of funding.
To do this send business contact details, including address and telephone number, to [email protected] and Skills
Development Scotland will be in touch.
34
SKILLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING CONT’D
EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE – REMPLOY EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE
An incentive payment for employers taking on former Remploy workers on a permanent basis, designed to help
disabled Remploy workers who have been made redundant in Scotland from July 2012 onwards.
What type of activity is eligible?
It is available to an employer on the basis of a commitment to retain the employee for a minimum of 18 months.
The employee should start work within a period of 18 months after their date of redundancy and should not
displace an existing post (although they can fill an existing vacancy). The payment is also available to former
Remploy workers who want to set up their own business.
How much funding is available?
The Incentive is £5,000, payable in stages:
£1,500 on commencement of employment or self-employment
£1,500 on achievement of 26 continuous weeks employment or self-employment
£1,000 on achievement of 52 continuous weeks employment or self-employment
£1,000 on achievement of 78 continuous weeks employment or self-employment.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information is on Skills Development Scotland’s Our Skillsforce website. Enquiries should be directed to
Elain McDermott, ESF Co-ordinator, ENABLE Scotland at [email protected]: 01698
737000 Mobile: 07889 456 202
EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE - TARGETED YOUNG PEOPLE
In incentive payment for employers taking on young people facing specific barriers to employment.
What type of activity is eligible?
Scottish employers looking to recruit young people who are care leavers, ex-young offenders or young carers aged
16-24 years into sustainable employment, including a Modern Apprenticeship. Employers can be of any size and
can be in the private, third or public sectors.
How much funding is available?
Payments of £1,500 are available providing the young person sustains the employment. Additional tailored support
from an expert organisation is also available to help the young person sustain this employment.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information is on Skills Development Scotland’s Our Skillsforce website. If an employer is interested in
offering an employment opportunity or Modern Apprenticeship they should send business contact details, including
address and telephone number, to [email protected] and Skills Development Scotland will be in touch.
35
SKILLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING CONT’D
LOW CARBON SKILLS FUND
Funding towards employee training in relation to low carbon skills.
What type of training is eligible?
Scottish businesses with up to 250 employees can apply for funding. Eligible training includes: renewable energy,
low carbon technologies and microgeneration, energy efficiency, environmental and clean technologies, waste
management and re-use and reducing carbon in supply and energy management. The Fund cannot be used for
statutory training but can be used for training relevant to emerging legislation in the low carbon sector.
How much funding is available?
Up to £12,500 is available for up to 25 episodes of training. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will refund up to
50% of each episode of training up to a maximum of £500 per episode.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information including an application form is available on Skills Development Scotland’s Our Skillsforce
website.
36
FUNDING FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS
It is worth bearing in mind that business finance is available from a range of sources, in addition to the Government, such as banks, business angels, crowdfunding, family and friends. Some private and charitable organisations also offer funding to businesses. The full range of organisations is not listed here, but includes:
DSL BUSINESS FINANCE – a Community Development Finance Institution providing business start-up and
growth loans for small businesses and social enterprises.
Offers loans of between £1,000 and £50,000 to SME’s across Scotland that can't access funding from banks and
other traditional sources. They are a partner in the UK Bank Referral Scheme and so consider lending to
organisations that have been refused credit from the banks in this scheme. More information is available here.
HIGHLAND VENTURE CAPITAL – provides equity finance for growing or new-start businesses.
They invest in companies requiring £75,000 or more, with a preference for those operating in the Highlands, but
wanting to supply their goods and services beyond the Highlands. More information is available here.
NESTA - an independent charity providing investments and grants and mobilising research, networks and skills.
They invest in venture companies and in innovative organisations that have a primary goal of achieving positive
outcomes for individuals, communities or society as a whole, and with a secondary goal of achieving financial
returns for investors. More information is available here.
SOCIAL INVESTMENT SCOTLAND – provides business loans to third sector organisations.
Loans tend to be £10,000 and above. The type of loans provided includes; all-purpose loans, bridging loans and
property loans. They also provide loans of up to £250,000 for community renewables. They lend where there is a
higher degree of risk and normal bank loans are not available. More information is available here.
THE CO-OPERATIVE LOAN FUND – loans to co-operatives to strengthen the scope and size of the
sector.
Providing loans between £5,000 and £75,000 to new and existing co-operatives. More information is available
here.
PRINCE’S TRUST: YOUTH BUSINESS SCOTLAND – a charity supporting self-employment and
business creation amongst young people.
Providing loans of up to £5,000 and grants of up to £1,000 for business start-ups (for those aged 18-25 years, or
26-30 if disabled). In addition, the PSYBT Growth Fund offers Development Loans of up to £10,000 (for those
aged 18-29 years) and Accelerator Loans of up to £25,000 (for those aged 18-31 years) for entrepreneurs who
have previously been supported by the Trust to grow their business. Their Innovation Fund offers loans of up to
£30,000 (for those aged 18–25 years) with an innovative concept or product to secure funding to take their idea to
the next stage. More information is available here.
SHELL LIVEWIRE – start-up grants for entrepreneurs aged 16-30 years.
Providing four awards of £1,000 each month (Grand Ideas Award) and £10,000 (Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Award) for new businesses. More information is available here.
MICHELIN DEVELOPMENT LIMITED - match loan funding towards projects which will create new jobs
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within an 18 mile radius of the Michelin plant at Baldovie in Dundee.
Loans are available from £4,000 to £30,000, are generally unsecured, and are offered at Bank of England Base
Rate of interest. For further information, and to make an initial loan enquiry go to the Michelin Development
website.
LINC SCOTLAND - the national association for business angels in Scotland which provides an introduction
service for entrepreneurs.
More information is available here.
INNOVATION PORTAL SMALL GRANTS SCHEME - financial assistance for businesses to undertake
a technology audit or feasibility study to assess the viability of carrying out innovation projects with an academic
partner.
For the Technology Feasibility Study a maximum grant of 50% of costs up to £5,000 can be provided. More
information is available here.
INVERNESS HISTORIC BUILDING REPAIR GRANTS - financial assistance available for
conservation works to historic buildings in the Riverside and Crown Conservation Areas of Inverness.
Eligible buildings include both commercial and residential properties located within the riverside or crown
conversation areas of inverness. More information is available here.
MOIDART TRUST ENTERPRISE GRANT SCHEME - grants for social enterprises and local
businesses in North West Scotland that provide some kind of benefit to the local community.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available. More information is available here.
RECCE SUPPORT FUND - financial assistance to mobile productions working in Glasgow to recce potential
film locations.
Glasgow Film Office (GFO) provides the Recce Support Fund to enable productions considering location in
Glasgow to recce potential locations. More information is available here.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL GRANTS SCHEME - supports the development of Travel Plans and travel
awareness in Aberdeen City and Shire.
Organisations can apply to Nestrans for up to £10,000 in matched funding to support sustainable transport
initiatives. More information is available here.
WRDC LOAN FUND - a loan fund for businesses within the Wigtownshire area.
Low interest loans are available to businesses either starting or expanding. Loans of up to and including £5,000
are generally considered. More information is available here.
DOTFORGE ACCELERATOR - combines investment capital with an intensive mentorship and execution
programme to accelerate the growth of ambitious lean startups that have global potential.
Participating startups can get up to £25,000 per founder (in seed capital and optional entrepreneur loan) plus
streamlined access to over £150k of follow-on funding. In return dotforge takes 6% equity. More information is
available here.
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RELATED BRIEFINGS
SB 13-47 The Green Investment Bank (16 August 2013)
SB 12-16 Enterprise Areas (29 February 2012)
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