There’s lots of news and updates for rural business in the blog this week, including some exciting opportunities, funding options, awards and events:
Adapt Your Property Fund: This Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) administered fund will specifically address the upgrade and re-purpose of vacant commercial properties in the area in order to bring them back into use as business premises or housing to help implement sustainable economic growth. Property owners or tenants can apply for grant assistance of up to 50% of the cost of the project to a maximum of £50,000. Find out more here.
PKC Open for Business Fund: The aim of this fund is to ensure that the frontages of town centre premises are updated, welcoming and clear in the message that "we are open for business". This scheme can provide grants of up to 50% of costs for projects that will improve facades, address empty properties, support "pop up" shops and contribute to a general freshening up of high streets. Find out more here.
Connecting Scotland: The programme, which helps those on lower incomes and groups like the elderly, will offer online training skills as well as providing people with devices and unlimited data for two years. This builds upon previous funding aimed at helping more people access the internet. Organisations can apply for phase 3 funding until 5 July. Find out more here.
Cultivate: Perth and Kinross Council are partners in this exciting new project from Creative Dundee, funded by Creative Scotland, which will employ creative practitioners to work with an organisation to tackle a question about climate change or social justice. The project pays £12,500 for 50 days work and will also involve knowledge exchange and peer to peer discussion. The creative practitioner will work with a community and the organisation. Find out more here.
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival: The SMHAF is to commission two artists, from different areas in Scotland, to work with their local community on a participatory arts project on the theme of mental health, between summer 2021 and spring 2022. Find out more here.
Doors Open Days 2021: The 2021 festival will have both virtual and in-person events and activities. The inclusion of both in-person and online events will help make Scotland’s spaces and stories more accessible to all. If you are interested in participating in Doors Open Days 2021 (either in-person or virtually) by opening your building, leading a walking tour, giving a talk, or putting on an exhibition you can find out more here.
Social Enterprise Awards Scotland: The Social Enterprise Awards Scotland are a real opportunity to showcase the incredible work of the social enterprise sector and the agility, ability and active role the sector can play in building places, supporting communities and making a positive impact on our environment and wellbeing. Application deadline is on Monday, July 12th, find out more here.
Young Innovators Awards 2021/22: Young people can apply for an award to make a business idea a reality. This includes a grant for £5,000, a living allowance and tailored business support from Innovate UK. The competition opens on 14 June and there will be an online briefing event on 15 June. The closing date for applications is 28 July 2021. Find out more here.
EU Exit Third Sector Circle Event: PKAVS are working alongside the Scottish Government to engage with the local third sector to find out how the UK leaving the EU is impacting charities, social enterprises, community groups and the people/organisations they support. The event will discuss the main issues or opportunities from EU Exit now and in the next year, and will invite suggestions of support that could be put in place to mitigate any negative impacts, or to help people realise new opportunities. Find out more and register here.
Bank of Scotland Academy Launch Event: This virtual and interactive launch event will be an opportunity to hear from speakers including Scottish small businesses, who will speak about their experiences in the last year and their plans for the future, hear from the Bank of Scotland Academy team about the free support they can provide, network and connect with others. The Academy is designed to help Scottish people, businesses and charities build their confidence, capabilities and productivity. Takes place on 16 June at 10:30am. Register here.
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