News, opportunities and helpful tools
Stay up to date with the latest news affecting rural business owners including, funding opportunities and helpful tips from the GrowBiz team.
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Solar PV Assessment
Small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises in Scotland can get free, impartial solar PV assessments from Business Energy Scotland. Find out more here.
Youth Led Creative Fund
Young people aged 8-30 in Scotland who have experienced isolation or marginalisation can apply for up to £500 for an individual or up to £2,000 for a group in order to fund a creative project or activity. Applications are open until 18th November. Find out more here.
Cairngorms Visitor Survey
Be amongst the first to hear the findings of this survey by signing up for the ‘Understanding our Visitors’ event on 10th September, 11am-12noon here.
Scottish EDGE
Round 26 is now open for applications until 2pm on 10 September 2025. Early-stage Scottish businesses from across all sectors can apply. Find out more here.
Inches Carr Craft Bursaries 2025
There are two types of Bursary depending how long you’ve been practicing professionally: Emerging Maker and Established Maker. Apply by Thursday 25 September at 17:00.
Creative Communities Scotland
Community-led organisations in Scotland can apply for up to £35,000 to develop and deliver hands-on creative projects. The deadline for applications is Thursday 18th September 2025. Find out more here.
Electric Car Grant Scheme
Individual buyers, business fleets and leasing companies can benefit. Find out more here.
THRIVE Fundamentals 2025
This training programme is aimed at current and future food and drink entrepreneurs in Scotland. Register here for September.
Business Star Awards
The Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards is now open for 2025 entries. Enter by Friday 12 September here.
New Charity Regulations
There are new regulations impacting charities and social enterprises in 2025. Get a summary of each change and what you can do to prepare here.
Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund
Third sector organisations and community groups can apply for up to £50,000 for eco-friendly projects in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Moray. Apply by noon on 29 September. Find out more here.
Scottish Rural Leadership Programme
Business owners, directors, or senior members of a rurally based business or organisation can find out about the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme during online info sessions here.
Future Works Employer Recruitment Incentives
Perth & Kinross employers can receive a a financial contribution of up to £8,000 for the creation of new, sustainable job opportunities for those facing barriers to work. Email skillsandemployment@pkc.gov.uk for more information.
Perth and Kinross Visitor Levy
Perth & Kinross Council has launched a Public Consultation to understand whether and how a Visitor Levy should be implemented in Perth and Kinross. Find out more here
Fife SME Development Grant
Financial support via small non-repayable grants to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Fife to develop and grow. The deadline to apply to this fund is 31 January 2026. Find out more here.
Perth & Kinross Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to fund projects that will enable businesses to expand their market overseas and into other parts of the UK. Find out more and apply here.
Carbon Literacy for Rural Industries
This one day course is offered on a quarterly basis for £200 per person. Find out more here.
Creative Scotland National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations
The grant is to support creative activity that runs for up to 18 months. Apply at any time here.
Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals
The funding is designed to support periods of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity for up to 24 months. Find out more and apply here.
Outer Hebrides Business Development Scheme
Grants of £3,000 for full-time businesses and £1,500 for part-time businesses in the Outer Hebrides, for up to 50% of eligible costs. Find out more here.