The Community Enterprise Fund offers grants of up to £5000, to be spent over six months, to help community organisations to start trading or set up social enterprises in Scotland. An open, rolling programme, to apply for the Community Enterprise Fund, you must first be registered within the Firstport Application Portal. All eligible proposals go to an independent funding panel who makes the final decisions, with applicants normally receiving a decision within 12-14 weeks of submitting the form.

The grant can be used for most start-up and development costs, including (but not limited to): Legal fees for setting up a legal entity for the enterprise, and/or registration as a charity or community interest company; Rent for premises/office space; Website, branding, logo design; Insurance; and Equipment.

Any eligible constituted group can apply, although because the demand for funding is high, applications that demonstrate the strongest potential to generate both income and social impact will be prioritised. This fund is not for funding core costs of existing community services or projects that are already operational.

For further information, please visit the Community Enterprise Fund – Firstport webpage (linked for your convenience).