Coronavirus

Information regarding financial and funding support for individuals and businesses due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Towns & Villages Recovery Support Funding

Limited funding has been identified to support towns and villages through recovery and renewal.  Local business and community groups are encouraged to consider how best to utilise this funding to support the local economy through the ongoing coronavirus crisis and especially in relation to the easing of lockdown mesaures. The fund is aimed at a large number of small projects, or larger proposals that will support a wider area where there is a local collaborative approach.

Project ideas and suggestions that could be supported are:-

• Physical distancing and public health infrastructure: supply of open for business/good to go signage, distancing markers, outdoor protection while queuing, protective screens, PPE and hand sanitising equipment etc.
• Street ambassadors or volunteers to help manage public spaces and streets, for example providing information to visitors, giving directions, refilling sanitising stations, cleaning seating areas.
• Pop up attractions and facilities such as micro-parks, seating areas, or markets.  Town 'treasure trails' or other local events to attract people/families to a town or village centre whilst following public health advice.
• Local marketing & promotional activity aligned with co-ordinated messaging e.g. develop social medial, print and local advertising campaigns around the "Stay Safe, Support Local, Love East Lothian" message or private local training to support businesses to sell online or via 'click and collect'.
• Hyper-local delivery mechanisms to assist local businesses to serve their customers and support vulnerable groups.
• Develop new local structures to support recovery and resilience e.g. establish or help develop further a business association or trader's group, link with other local organisations and agencies e.g. local housing associations, development trusts, charities, and social enterprises.

Local businesses or community groups should contact their Economic Development Town/Village Single Point of Contact to discuss their idea prior to submitting an application. Contacted details are provided in the guidance available to download below.

You can review the full application, guidance and eligibility criteria in advance.

East Lothian Investments Ltd

ELI Ltd is a not-for-profit company, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, providing interest-free loans to East Lothian businesses.  It is managed by a Fund Manager and governed by a Board of Directors.

• companies must be based within East Lothian
• loans can be applied for up to £15,0000 and are interest-free with a 5% arrangement fee
• applications can be for any purpose, except debt repayment
• loans awarded will normally be re-paid over a term of 48 months
• open to businesses at all stages and all sectors and types of businesses, including start up
• upfront repayment holiday may be available, if required

More information, including applicant guidance and application available visit East Lothian Investments.

DigitalBoost Development Grant

The core purpose of the DigitalBoost Development Grant Scheme is to offer financial support to SME's who will then invest it in digital technology and help sustain and rebuild the local economy across Scotland as a consequence.  This fund is currently being made available to businesses that have already engaged with the DigitalBoost programme.  The fund is to support projects that would help your business to improve its digital effectiveness such as:-

• to enhance the back-office effectiveness
• initiate or enhance your digital marketing or online trading capabilities
• improve your customer relations management
• improve your cyber security

For further information about this scheme and to request an expression of interest form, please contact the grant support team on 01236 702105 or email [email protected].  Closing date for expressions of interest is 5pm, Thursday 1st October 2020.

Creative Industry

Creative Scotland has launched three funding programmes designed to provide further support to sustain the country's creative community during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• A Creative Scotland Bridging Bursery Fund to help sustain creative practice by freelance creative professionals who have lost earnings due to the cancellation of work
• A parallel Screen Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund providing similar one-off bursary support to self-employed screen sector works
• The Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development providing support for individuals and organisations to sustain their creative development in the coming months

North Berwick Trust Grants

North Berwick Trust is offering grants to hard-hit businesses based in North Berwick to help them survive the COVID-19 emergency.  Grants of up to £5,000 will be awarded every month for at least the next 6 months, depending on COVID-19 developments.  Further information and application details are here.