Enterprise

People from across the country can now apply to take part in Scottish Enterprise's Rural Leadership Programme.

This year Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have joined forces with Scottish Enterprise to offer 15 places on the programme to people from Highlands and Islands businesses.

Members from across the LEADER community are holding an information session during the Royal Highland Show.

Representation from across the 21 Local Action Groups as well as previous beneficiaries will be on hand to discuss how to access the substantial funding pot for rural Scotland. LEADER provides funding opportunities for farmers and a wide range of rural businesses.

Apply now to take part in Small Biz 100 and have your small business highlighted in a UK-wide campaign.

In the 100 days running up to Small Business Saturday 2017 on 2 December, 100 small business will be showcased.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Grant funding is available for business groups and local bodies, working in partnership with their local authority, to develop proposals for Business Improvement Districts across Scotland.

A Business Improvement District (BID) is about businesses working together and investing collectively in local improvements, in addition to those delivered by the statutory authorities. These improvements will be of benefit to the businesses involved and also contribute to the wider aspirations of the local residential community and growing the local economy.

A new plan has launched setting out how all those with responsibility for the Cairngorms National Park will coordinate their work to tackle the most important issues over the next five years.

The Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan (2017-2022) will deliver the following long-term outcomes for the National Park:

Scottish Rural Action have launched their Action Plan, with key points in five areas they will be taking forward.

An innovative tea growing project in Angus, Perth & Kinross and Fife has received a funding boost from the LEADER programmes in these areas.

The award of £49,550 has been made to Artisan Tea Gardens Ltd by the LEADER Local Action Groups in Angus, Fife and Perth & Kinross.

Artisan Tea Gardens Ltd is a collaborative partnership of nine tea growers, two in Angus, five in Perth & Kinross and two in Fife, who aim to grow 100 percent Scottish tea for lovers of traditionally-made produce.