Rural Enterprise News: 3 April

Spring into April with these events and opportunities for rural businesses, enterprises and communities:

Perth & Kinross Business Partnership - Finance & Budget Event

Join the PKBP on Thursday 1 May at Birnam Arts, Dunkeld, for an insightful event on finance, budgeting, and the impact of recent UK and Scottish Government budget decisions on small businesses in our region. Gain expert advice, practical tips, and key updates to navigate financial challenges and opportunities. Tea, coffee and a finger buffet will be available at 5.30 with the event starting at 6pm. Book here. 

Outer Hebrides Business Development Scheme

Grants of £3,000 for full-time businesses and £1,500 for part-time businesses are available to businesses trading in the Outer Hebrides, for up to 50% of eligible costs. It can be used for capital items of expenditure, such as tools, equipment, fixtures and fittings. Find out more here.

Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan for Tayside Survey

Help shape the Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan for Tayside by taking this survey. It should only take a few minutes to complete and doing so gives you the chance to win a £50 Scotland Loves Local Gift Card for either Perth and Kinross, Dundee or Angus. Take the survey here.

Carbon Literacy for Rural Industries

This one-day course provides a recognised qualification and a foundation of knowledge to level the playing field towards the Just Transition to net zero, no matter if you manage a croft or a global multinational. Offered on a quarterly basis for £200 per person. Discover more here.

Creative Scotland National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations

Funding for artistic, creative and cultural organisations based in Scotland, of between £1,000 and £100,000. The grant is to support creative activity that runs for up to 18 months. Apply at any time here.

Visual Arts Scotland Inches Carr Craft Creative Development Award 2025

Scottish makers are invited to apply for this award, designed to enable artists to develop their practice to a higher level, consider innovation and introduce new materials or techniques. The award includes a £5000 bursary for a maker, a £2000 bursary for mentoring support and exhibition opportunities. Applicants must have been living and working in Scotland for four or more years and must be a member of VAS. The deadline for applications is 25th April 2025 at 5pm. Find out more here.

Start-Up and Growth Loans

Start-up and growth loans available for businesses in Highland Council area—The Start-Up and Growth Loan offers affordable, fixed rate loans to businesses based in the Highland Council region. Loans of between £5,000 and £200,000 are available, with a loan term of between 1 and 10 years. Find out more here.