Enterprise

The 2017-18 Rural Leadership programme is now open for applications.

The programme is aimed at business managers and employees from rural businesses who want to develop their leadership skills and grow their business. It is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise by SAC Consulting.

To date, over 450 people have completed the programme, including farmers, vets, estate managers, tourism managers, and managers from processing and supply businesses.

Ten UK towns, including Whitburn in West Lothian, have been selected for a new domestic ‘twinning’ project undertaken by the Carnegie UK Trust.

The trial is designed to reinvigorate local economies by pairing towns with others within the UK facing similar challenges. The idea is that over the coming 18 months the towns will build their connections, receive support, and devise a twinning action plan to access funding to kick-start new commercial, voluntary and social enterprise activities - building positive growth for both.

The current funding round for the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation (FPMC) scheme closes for applications on 5 March 2017.

The FPMC scheme can provide support to suppliers and producers to contribute to the Scottish Government’s overall vision for food and drink in the country, which is to be a Good Food Nation, where it is second nature to produce, buy, serve and eat fresh, healthy food.

After a successful Local Action Group (LAG) assessment meeting on Tuesday 24 January when eight further project applications were approved, Scottish Borders LEADER have now committed to funding totalling £705,000. 

So far Scottish Borders LEADER LAG have awarded grants to 15 projects: