If you’re looking to save energy, cut bills and reduce your carbon footprint, lighting is a great place to start.

For most businesses in Scotland, lighting makes up a significant chunk of energy costs. The good news is that by upgrading to modern lighting, such as LEDs, you can make big savings.

What’s more, the Scottish Government’s SME Loan Scheme is offering eligible small and medium-sized enterprises, including charities, interest-free loans from £1,000 to £100,000 with cashback grants of up to £20,000 to upgrade to energy-efficient lighting.

Free Advice On How To Develop Your Workforce Through Apprenticeships

Skills Development Scotland will be hosting five free 45-minute webinars from 7th to 10th March to support Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023.

The sessions will cover a series of topics, including current labour market intelligence and how apprenticeships support workforce strategies such as expanding your talent pool, improving employee retention, skills development and boosting productivity.

Click here to find out more

Latest Edition of FBM Update Now Available To Read Online 

This issue features the latest news and developments from businesses across Fife, together with articles highlighting guidance, business support available and links to further sources of information, which should prove valuable to local businesses.

Businesses featured in this edition include, Seahawk Apparel, Electron Garage, Estia Soaps, Lomond Group, Ore Valley Business Centre, Donaldson Timber, Bowhouse and many more.

Click here to read FBM Update now.

Pioneering Soft Plastics Recycling Site Opens Doors In Fife

A pioneering new recycling facility is now open in Fife which will reprocess ‘hard-to-recycle’ soft plastics. It aims to develop a greater plastics recycling infrastructure here in the UK, to keep the material in a ‘closed loop’ and save it from being exported overseas. 
 

The site is co-owned by Morrisons and will be operated by recycling plant specialists Yes Recycling. A number of other organisations, including Nestlé UK & Ireland and Zero Waste Scotland, have also been involved in the development of this ground-breaking recycling plant. 

Click here to read the article now.

Workforce Innovation Voucher: Funding To Develop Your Workplace Practices

The Workforce Innovation Voucher scheme can be used to develop a company’s workforce in partnership with a college or university.

Its purpose is to support innovation to develop the company’s workforce in partnership with a college or university – for example, a new or enhanced workplace business processes, workplace practice or innovative business expertise.

The value of this voucher is between £1,000 and £5,000, which covers the project costs and is paid directly to your partner university or college.

Click here to find out more.

Healthier Products Innovation Fund for Scotland 2023

The Healthier Products Innovation Fund for Scotland (HPIF) has been developed by Interface and the Food and Drink Federation Scotland (Refomul8 Programme) to support Scotland’s food and drink businesses as part of the Scottish Food & Drink Recovery Plan.

Funding awards of between £5,000 and £10,000 will be made available to enable businesses to partner with and fund Scottish academic activity on projects contributing to healthier food and drink products on our shelves and on our plates.

Click here to find out more

Feasibility Funding for Biotech-Focused Proof Of Concept Studies

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC)'s Feasibility projects provide members with the opportunity to tap into the expertise of Scotland’s academics to assist with a biotech-focused proof of concept study to support a future funding application for a larger scale research work programme.

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National Lottery Extended Programme Fund - Creative Scotland

The National Lottery Extended Programme Fund is a time-limited funding programme for non-profit artistic, creative and cultural organisations based in Scotland. 

Organisations can apply for between £100,000 and £200,000 for programmes of creative activity that last between 18 and 24 months. 

Click hereto find out more.

Become A Fairer And More Flexible Employer

Scottish Enterprise, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, Fair Work Convention and other partners, have developed this tool to help employers understand and fully embed the dimensions of Fair Work. It will support your organisation to take the next step on your Fair Work journey. 

Whether you are already sustainably aware or are just keen to make an impact, this webinar will change the way you think about your digital habits.

Click here to find out more

Business Expenses and Capital Allowances- Webinar

Find out what allowable business expenses are and how to work out your tax allowances.

You will discover how to recognise the most common types of allowable business expenses, the different ways to work out your motoring expenses and the capital allowances for cars, other vehicles and equipment.

Click here to find out more

Innovation Conversation: Building Innovation Capacity In Your Business 

Fife Chamber of Commerce is hosting this free Innovation Conversation event to explore the number of ways in which your business can benefit from working in partnership with the University of Dundee. You’ll hear first-hand from academic experts about opportunities to access funding, research facilities, specialist skills and knowledge.

You will also hear from former Fife miner, Brian McCormack, who collaborated with the University on his business idea.  His company McCormack Innovation has just celebrated their partnership with leading cosmetic company Conserving Beauty, based in Melbourne, Australia, to bring his dissolving makeup remover wipes into the international world of cosmetics.

Click here to find out more

Events and Meeting Space at Enterprise Hub Fife

Whether you are planning a strategy session, looking to host a training workshop or require offsite meeting space, Enterprise Hub Fife offers bright and spacious areas with modern facilities in the heart of Fife.

Click here to find out more

Bank of Scotland Foundation - Invest Programme

Bank of Scotland Foundation's Invest programme is suitable for charities that can demonstrate they address disadvantage or social exclusion. This will ensure funding reaches the most vulnerable people across Scotland and provides them with opportunity and equality.

The Foundation recognises the significant impact that the current cost of living crisis is having on people across Scotland. To ensure funding can support charities through this crisis and reach those in real need, the 2023 Invest Grants Programme will provide funding for up to five years for charities.

Click here to find out more

If you are looking to move to new business premises that offer full reception facilities, meeting rooms and on site car parking, check out the Business Incubator Kirkcaldy.

Business Incubator Kirkcaldy offers high-quality business accommodation in a managed Centre. There are units ranging in size from 15sqm (165sqft) to 51sqm (551sqft).

Click here to find out more