Welcome to this round up of the latest free support for your business.
Business Support.
We're planning issue 22 of TALK...and we'd love to hear from you!
Let us know your news and we will include it in our local news section of TALK. ?News must not be promotional and space will be given on a first come first serve basis.? ? If you're looking to promote a specific product/service then why not consider taking out an advert?? ? With a readership of approximately 9,000, the magazine is a great way to raise your company profile. If you would like to submit news get in touch?here.?
Business Gateway Stirling -?Meet Our Advisers 1-2-1 Appointments
These one-to-one meetings are an opportunity for businesses based in and around Stirling to discuss their business with a Business Adviser.
Aberfoyle: Mon?28 Oct Bannockburn: Thurs 31 Oct Callander: Thurs 7 Nov City Centre: Thurs 21 Nov Cowie: Thurs 28 Nov Drymen: Fri 8?Nov Killin: Mon 4 Nov
These one-on-one virtual meetings offer employers a great chance to chat with an HR expert and gain valuable insights. During this half-hour session, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your specific HR concerns and questions with our expert and gain personalised advice and guidance.?Appointment Dates:
The Scottish Tourism Alliance - Complete The First Ever Four Tourism Alliances Survey??***Closes 1 November 2024
Strengthen the Collective Vice of the UK's Tourism and Hospitality Industry!For the first time, the four tourism alliances covering the whole of the UK have collaborated on a joint survey, offering a rare opportunity to capture a comprehensive UK-wide picture of the economic and policy environment that tourism and hospitality businesses are operating in.?In partnership with leading research company?56 Degree Insight,?The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA),?The Tourism Alliance (England),?The Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA), and?The Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA)?have come together to gather feedback on the current business environment and gauge opinion on whether government is doing enough to support the industry.By completing this short survey, you’ll help to strengthen our collective voice; allowing us to accurately highlight the reality on the ground for the sector and amplify the support it requires to grow, in our conversations with UK and devolved governments.
Awards.
If you are nominated or win an award we can help spread the word - let us know at [email protected].?
Stirling City Centre Business Awards 2025?*** Closes 25 October 2024
The 2025 Stirling Business Awards are here, and it’s time to rally support. With 11 categories—like Café/Coffee Shop of the Year and Retailer of the Year—this is your chance to shine. ? Encourage your customers to nominate you and show their love for your business and the work that you do.?
Business Support Events.
BreakfastBuzz - Breakfastbuzz?Networking?
22 October 09.00 - 10.30 | The Highland Gate, Stirling
This event provides an opportunity for networking in a relaxed friendly atmosphere with lots of buzz. No booking, No fees and?No Membership.
Business Gateway -?Exploring Alternative Funding Opportunities
24 October 12.30 - 13.30 | Online
This session aims to help anyone looking to secure funding understand more about some of the different options available to them.
31 October 08.30 - 09.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park?
Join us for a relaxed morning of networking and a complimentary breakfast at the InBusiness Breakfast and Networking event.
Business Gateway -?Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
6 November 14.00 - 16.00 | Online
Better understand where your website visitors come from, how they behave and become customers with Google Analytics.
STEP - An?Introduction to Xero
7 November 09.30 - 12.00 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park
Join us for an Introduction to Xero with Atholl Accountancy! This practical session is designed to help you navigate Xero with confidence. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, you'll learn the essentials of Xero, including setting up and personalising your account, creating branded invoices, raising and managing invoices, setting up bank feeds, and reconciling statements.
13 November 08.30 - 09.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park?
Join us for a relaxed morning of networking and a complimentary breakfast at the InBusiness Breakfast and Networking event.
Just Enterprise -?Legal Launchpad: Supercharge Your Social Enterprise’s Success
15 November 9.00 - 13.00 |?Volunteer Scotland, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Are you a social entrepreneur navigating the unfamiliar?legal landscape of company structures and governance??Don’t let legal hurdles ground your mission. Join us for our not-to-be-missed Legal Considerations Workshop.?
University of Stirling Business Engagement -??Net Zero Business Support Summit
20 November 10.00 - 13.00 | Stirling Highland Hotel
Join this year's Net Zero Business Support Summit. Access funding and explore support options to reduce your emissions and save costs
27 November 09.30 - 12.00 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park
This in-person event is for Stirling-based businesses who want to set up a website and develop an online presence.
STEP - Canva for Beginners
27 November 13.30 - 16.00 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park
We are delighted to deliver this in-person workshop giving you a guided tour of how to use and benefit from Canva's features.
Consultations.
Scottish Government -?Charging for single-use disposable beverage cups?***Closes 14 November?2024
The?Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, given Royal Ascent on 8 August 2024, provides new powers requiring suppliers of single-use items to charge a minimum amount for such items, with the policy aim of reducing consumption and therefore reducing the environmental harm caused. The Scottish Government intends that an early use of such powers will be to introduce a minimum charge on single-use disposable beverage cups. This consultation will help ?develop an approach to drive responsible consumption and reuse as part of our wider efforts to build a greener, more sustainable Scotland.
Funding.
CFSLA -?CFSLA Staff Lottery Grants?***Closes 15?November 2024
They offer assistance to charity and community groups within the boundaries of Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling council areas.
To be eligible:?
Stirling Council -?Premises Improvement Grant?***Closes 12 November 2024
Funded by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Premises Improvement Grant is open to all Stirling based micro, small or medium sized enterprises as well as Social Enterprises and constituted community halls in the Stirling Council area.
The intended benefits this will bring are additional footfall to key commercial areas, an enhancement to place, civic pride, community well-being, reduced carbon emissions and commercial confidence in areas leading to increased attractiveness for inward investment. For all enquiries about eligibility, please contact [email protected]
Scottish Enterprise -?Funding for Development of Hydrogen Projects?***Closes 1 November 2024
This Scottish Government funding will help cover development costs for projects that focus on the low-cost, efficient, and sustainable production of renewable hydrogen in Scotland.
This funding is specifically for projects seeking research and development (R&D) support for development expenditure (DEVEX).
Renewable hydrogen is defined as (at least one of the following):
This fund will support renewable hydrogen production projects in Scotland with a production capacity of between 5 and 400 megawatts.
Scottish Enterprise - Workplace Transformation Support
Scottish Enterprise has launched their Workplace Transformation Support, offering businesses between ￡15,000 and ￡100,000 towards capital investment projects of ￡200,000 or more. This funding is designed to enhance or accelerate your investments in projects to be completed by 31 March 2025. Eligible activities include: - Enhancing leadership and management skills - Implementing new workplace practices - Training for new technologies like digital tools, AI, and robotics Projects must be complete by 31 March 2025.
The University of Stirling -?Help to Grow: Management Course
This 12-week course is designed to be taken alongside full-time work through a combination of online sessions, face-to-face learning, peer support and mentoring.?The course is for SME senior managers seeking to boost their business’s performance, resilience and long-term growth.?The cost to attend is 90% funded by the UK Government (company contribution of ￡750).
Stirling Management School is one of a select number of partners delivering the course.
UK Government -?Workplace Charging Scheme?***Closes 31 March 2025
The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria. The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
Educational Opportunity Foundation - Main Fund
The Educational Opportunity Foundation supports charitable organisations working to improve access to education or the quality of education for children and young people under the age of 25, both in the UK and internationally.
For UK based projects, Educational Opportunity Foundation will only consider applications that are specifically targeted towards care experienced young people. Projects must be interventions designed to improve their educational outcomes and life chances. Funding is available for one to three years. They will fund between ￡30,000?to?￡90,000 per project?(maximum ￡30,000 per year for multi year projects). Funding is available for new or pilot projects, or projects which have started in the past 12 months.
SCVO - Foux Foundation Grants??
The Foux Foundation is focused on helping in the areas of: health, education, youth opportunity and poverty.
Living across three different continents, the trustees take a global approach and are keen to support the appropriate organisations regardless of location. They fund:
Stirling Council -?Community Grants Programme Re-opens
The Community Development Team is pleased to announce that Stirling Council’s community grants programme has now re-opened. The programme was reduced earlier this year with a 50% cut during the tough budget setting with difficult decisions to be made.As a result we had to review the grants criteria and make changes, the key headlines are:?
For full details of our community grants programme please visit the Council Community Grants pages here
Forth Valley & Lomond CLLD - Community Led Local Development 2024/25 Programme?***Closes 17 May 2025
Funding of ￡5,000 to ￡30,000 for both revenue and capital projects which must be completed by 15 February 2025. Applications are invited from community groups and local businesses based in rural Stirling, Clackmannanshire and West Dunbartonshire proposing to deliver a project which meets one or more of the following priorities:
Submit your Expression asap to discuss your project with the CLLD Project Officer.
Firstport - Start It
A Start It award is designed to help new social entrepreneurs pay for start-up costs up to ￡5,000. These costs vary, but typical examples include:
Firstport - Pounds for Purpose?
Pounds for Purpose can you help cover the costs of getting your idea up and running up to ￡500. Costs can include hiring a venue, producing promotional materials, or insurance, amongst others. It all depends on what your idea is about. To be eligible, you must be an individual aged 18-26, seeking to make a positive change in the issues that matter to them. Open year round.
Scottish Government - Techstart Ventures Equity Finance
This funding includes Techstart Ventures Equity Finance, which is managed by Techstart Ventures on behalf of the Scottish Government. It provides equity finance of up to ￡2 million, in rounds of up to ￡10 million, for eligible businesses.
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The equity funding can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Techstart Ventures invests principally in early stage startups and SMEs who are developing innovative new products with high growth and export potential. To be eligible for equity financing of up to ￡2 million from Techstart Ventures Equity Finance, businesses must:
Techstart Ventures Equity Finance is not sector-specific and businesses in a variety of sectors have already been supported under the fund, though certain sectors may be restricted.
Clackmannanshire Council - Clackmannanshire & Stirling Environmental Trust
The Trust manages landfill community fund credits raised through the land-filling of municipal waste from both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils and in the past successful projects have included improvements to play areas, community halls, historic and religious buildings and local woodlands. Projects aimed at conserving or improving native biodiversity have also received support.For more information, application pack or advice, contact the trust at?[email protected]
Scottish Enterprise - High-Growth Spinout Programme
The High-Growth Spinout Programme (HGSP) provides funding to support the commercialisation of advanced technologies developed at Scotland's universities, research institutes and NHS boards. The objective is to create new high-growth companies with the potential to generate significant economic impact in Scotland.
The purpose of the funding is to address gaps in the business plan for the prospective technology. The grant can support up to 100% of the direct costs of a project, up to a maximum of ￡75,000.
Supported activities include, but are not limited to:
Scottish Enterprise - Green Heat Innovation Support Programme?***Closes March 2026
The GHISP supports innovation and capital investment that will accelerate the roll out and adoption of green heating solutions and associated products.
It's about encouraging the growth of Scotland’s green heat market and helping projects in areas such as:
Scottish Enterprise - SMART: Scotland Grant??
Are you a small or medium-sized business seeking to develop a new product, process or service? The?SMART: SCOTLAND grant can support technically focused feasibility studies to help discover if your idea will work in the real world. ?
They can support up to 70% of the eligible costs for a small enterprise and up to 60% of the eligible costs for a medium enterprise. Studies must last between 6 and 18 months, and the maximum grant is ￡100,000. Feasibility is paid with a third of the grant in an upfront instalment and the rest is quarterly in arrears. ?
You may be eligible if:
This fund aims to support new entrants to farming (less than 5 years) by providing up to ￡500 per course for skills development and training on the practicalities of agriculture, plus wider business and sustainability skills.? ?
The Next Generation Practical Training Fund offers financial support to those resident in Scotland who are:
There is no age limit for applicants to the Next Generation Training Fund as agriculture attracts both mature new entrants and school leavers.
Employer Engagement - Parent Job Creation Scheme: A Lifeline for Parents Re-Entering Employment?
The Parent Job Creation Scheme addresses the employment needs of parents who are currently working. It provides funding for employers willing to create job positions specifically for parents. By funding a 25-hour-per-week role for a duration of six months, the scheme offers parents an essential pathway to regain financial independence and rebuild their careers.?? Whether you are a parent looking to benefit from these schemes or a business seeking support to create jobs or enhance existing positions, reaching out is simple. You can get in touch with the Employer Engagement team at [email protected] to explore how these initiatives can work for you.
Employer Engagement - Job Enhancement Scheme: Elevating Parental Careers
The Job Enhancement Scheme focuses on empowering parents already in the workforce. It offers lifelong learning opportunities, including accredited training, to help parents upskill and remain competitive in their careers. Employers are encouraged to invest in their workforce, with a particular focus on career progression and wage increases for parents.? Whether you are a parent looking to benefit from these schemes or a business seeking support to create jobs or enhance existing positions, reaching out is simple. You can get in touch with the Employer Engagement team at [email protected] to explore how these initiatives can work for you.
Green Space Scotland?- Tesco Stronger Starts?
Stronger Starts supports thousands of local community projects and good causes across the UK.?The scheme is open to all schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that provide food and support to young people. It provides grants of up to ￡1500 to local projects from across the whole of Scotland. We would encourage all groups and projects that support children and young people with a stronger start in life to apply.Stronger Starts is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to ￡1,500?via an on-line application form. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.
Applications are open to all local good causes, but the fund prioritises projects that support children's food security and health and local store nominated good causes. This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas also welcomed.
Examples include:
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise?- Cybersafe Community Grants?
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise is pleased to announce the availability of a ￡750 grant for organisations in the region. The grant is specifically designed to support the hosting of Cybersafe outreach events. These events aim to disseminate crucial information related to online safety, covering topics such as creating secure passwords, using 2-factor authentication, identifying and handling scam/phishing emails, and securing laptops and phones. The grant provides an excellent opportunity for organisations to contribute to the community's awareness of cyber risks and resilience. Interested organisations can express their interest by completing the provided form, and SVE will respond promptly.
Historic Environment - Grants Programme
Historic Environment Scotland provides a range of grants and funding schemes to organisations developing projects that will benefit Scotland’s historic environment.Funding applications can focus on any aspect of Scotland's historic environment. For example, projects could involve:
Some examples of a typical project or activity are:
Clackmannanshire And Stirling Environment Trust - Scottish Landfill Communities Fund?
The Trust offers funding to projects through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF). It will consider applications across all types of projects included in the SLCF Objects including: land reclamation, community recycling, public amenities and parks, biodiversity and historic buildings.
Stirling City Heritage Trust - Traditional Building Repair Grant
Grants are available for traditional properties within the Stirling City boundary and in Bridge of Allan and Dunblane which are members of the Traditional Buildings Health Check.All owners within a building must be current members of the Traditional Buildings Health Check, and you will need to have had an inspection carried out by our team to assess the condition of your property. At the time of your grant payment, you will need to have a minimum of 3 months left of your membership.
The grant rate is 50% of eligible works up to a maximum of ￡15,000 per building, per year. So, for example, on a building in shared ownership, that is ￡15,000 in total for any common repairs which would be divided between Traditional Buildings Health Check members. There is a minimum grant of ￡2,000 so eligible works must exceed ￡4,000.
There is a finite amount of grant funding available and funds will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Scottish Enterprise - Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund?***Closes?31 March 2026
The Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund helps Scottish manufacturing companies that wish to pursue business growth by developing low carbon products, processes or services. This may be achieved through pure research and development (R&D), capital investment or environmental aid support.
The National Lottery and Creative Scotland -? Open Fund for Organisations (artistic, creative and cultural)?
Organisations can apply for between ￡1,000 and ￡100,000 to support creative activity that lasts up to 18 months.?
The types of activity eligible for funding are:?
The funding programme can also help organisations to undertake business and organisational development that will:
The funding programme is open all year round, with no deadlines - organisations can apply at any time.
Scottish Enterprise - Workforce Innovation Voucher scheme
The Workforce Innovation Voucher scheme is between ￡1,000 and ￡5,000 which can be used to develop a company’s workforce in partnership with a college or university.
Interface provides support with finding a suitable academic partner who has the right specialist expertise to progress your Research and Development project. Eligible businesses must be:?
The Princes Trust - Test My Business Idea Grant
If you've completed the Prince's Trust Explore Enterprise Course, you can apply for a Test My Business Idea grant of up to ￡500 to help you try a new business idea. The Test My Business Idea grant can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:
advertising
marketing
purchasing stock or equipment
building a prototype
When you first contact the Trust, you'll be paired with a caseworker who will get to know you and your business idea through some initial induction meetings. You'll complete some documents to get set up in the system, then you can enroll on the Prince's Trust Explore Enterprise Course. The Explore Enterprise Course includes 7 sessions that cover the basics of self-employment, HMRC and finance, pricing and sales, marketing, networking, cashflows, and business plans. Read more about the Explore Enterprise Course.
Scottish Enterprise - Regional Selective Assistance Funding
RSA funding is designed to support projects that will help create jobs and a greener economy. If your company is in need of at least ￡100,000 in grant funding, check your eligibility and start the application process today.
Scottish Enterprise - Scottish Land Fund
The Scottish Land Fund supports rural and urban communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets.
The fund offers grants of between ￡5,000 and ￡1 million to help communities take ownership of the land and buildings that matter to them, as well as practical support to develop their aspirations into viable projects.
It is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Scottish Enterprise -?SMART: SCOTLAND Grant
This is a research and development (R&D) grant for small and medium-sized businesses that aims to support high risk, highly ambitious projects. It covers conducting feasibility studies to show how ideas could work in the real world and supports activities that have a commercial endpoint.
Falkirk Council - Various Funding?
Falkirk Council recognises that Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected most businesses in some way. There are various funding options for those based in the Falkirk Council area.?
Fife Council - SME Development Grant?***Deadline 31 Jan 2025
Fife Council’s SME Development Grant provides financial support to help Fife-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop and grow.The fund provides small non-repayable grants to help with costs in 6 eligible areas:
Screen Scotland -?Funding
Screen Scotland is aiming to support the?growth of the screen sector through increased funding and support for film and television production, an increase in specialist staff and further investment in skills, festivals, audiences and education. Open funds include:?
Join The?Community.
Forth Valley Business - Facebook Group
This group has been created by STEP to provide a platform for like-minded individuals, groups and businesses in Stirling to support each other.
Central Scotland Employers - Facebook Group
The Central Scotland Employers Club is an online and offline Employers' forum for members to discuss and find solutions to challenges regularly faced by employers.
Rural Stirling?Business - Facebook Group
This group has been created by STEP to provide a platform for like-minded individuals, groups and businesses in Rural Stirling to interact, network and support each other.
Forth Valley Jobs - Facebook Group
This group has been created by STEP to provide a platform for business owners and job seekers to connect and support employment in the area.