It’s the middle of June, which means we are at the halfway point of 2021 (yes, really), so it’s a good time to review what your business or enterprise has accomplished so far, and what you’d like to achieve in the second half of the year. The useful funding updates, opportunities, events and news in this blog may help!
Island Communities Fund: Businesses and community groups located across Scotland’s inhabited islands can apply for grants of up to £150,000 for projects focussed on supporting sustainable island economies and the journey towards net zero. The deadline to apply for funding is 12pm on Friday 16 July 2021. Find out more here.
Scotland Coach Operators – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund – Strand Two: This fund has been created to support Scottish-based businesses in the coach tourism and coach private hire sector whose turnover in 19/20 from coach tourism/private coach hire was more than 40% of their total turnover. Applicants for Strand Two of the Fund will be able to submit an application form from 12noon on Wednesday 23 June until 5pm on Wednesday 30 June 2021. Find out more here.
Improving Broadband for Very Hard to Reach Premises: If you are a resident household or business user of rural broadband services, then the UK Government wants to hear your views. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport have opened a call for evidence on improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises in the UK. Find out more and take part here.
Golf Tourism Survey: The Scottish Golf Tourism Development Group is currently seeking the views and experiences of businesses that currently, or are keen to, engage with the visitor golfer including golf courses, accommodation providers, resorts, tourist attractions, tour operators, hospitality and retail businesses. The survey should take around 15mins to complete and all responses are anonymous. You can take part in the survey here.
The Modern Artisan: This is a 10-month paid training programme in responsible design and luxury textile craftsmanship for recent fashion and textiles graduates based in the UK. The programme will guide eight trainee artisans from the UK and Italy through the process of bringing a responsible luxury womenswear collection to market. Applications deadline: 30th June 2021. Find out more here.
The Association of Scottish Businesswomen National Business Awards: These awards recognise and celebrate the contributions of women to business and the wider community across Scotland, and are judged by some of Scotland's leading business names. There are 14 Awards categories, including Most Enterprising Business, Start-Up Business and Self-Employed or Sole Trader of the Year. The closing date to apply for the 2021 Awards is midnight on Sunday 4th July. This year the Awards Ceremony will take the form of an Afternoon Tea on Sunday 26th September 2021. Find out more here or email president@asb-scotland.org with queries.
Badenoch The Storylands workshops: Badenoch The Storylands is delivering in-person training sessions to share with businesses and ambassadors for Badenoch different ways to use the branding and resources through the Badenoch Great Place Project to promote the area as a destination. The workshops cover why using heritage in marketing has proven to be successful and bring together the Badenoch The Storylands branding products. The first session started on the 22nd June with a further 6 dates to choose from throughout June/July. There are two social media sessions to choose from on the 20th July. To sign up to a training session click here.