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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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
Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards
These awards celebrate Scotland’s women-led businesses across 10 categories. The closing date for entries is midnight at the end of Monday 23 June 2025. Enter or nominate here.
Perth & Kinross Green Capital Development Grant
Businesses in the area can apply for up to £25,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to invest in capital projects.
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.
Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
Entries for the 2025 awards are now open until 28 May. Find out more 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.
Regional Food Fund 2025/26
Grants of between £1000 and £5000 for small-scale, collaborative projects that contribute to the sales and promotion of local food and drink. Find out more and apply 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.
Scottish Thistle Awards
The Scottish Thistle Awards are now open for applications from outstanding tourism and events businesses. Entries close 28 April. Find out more here.
Highlights from Regional EDGE for Perth & Kinross
Five businesses took away awards of between £10k and £50k at the first Perth & Kinross Regional Edge finals on Monday 24 February
ACOSVO Leadership Exchange Programme
This programme pairs leaders from across sectors to improve leadership capacity between peers. The closing date for applying is 14th March 2025. Find out more here.
New Perth Academy to Develop the Next Generation of Leaders
Perth Leadership Academy will work with a group of emerging leaders from the private, public and third sectors to help equip them with the skills they need to boost the leadership capability in their own organisations and help them work more effectively with other partners.
HIE Young Business Capital Grant Fund
For young businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands area, who have been trading for less than five years. Find out more here.
Outer Hebrides Digital Support Scheme (OHDSS)
This scheme aims to help small businesses in the Outer Hebrides develop and implement new digital systems by means of funding, mentoring and other support. Find out more here.
Powering Futures – The Tayside Circular Economy Challenge
The Challenge aims to support young people (aged 16-24) in businesses and organisations as they develop circular solutions to challenges. Find out more here.