Micro-enterprises* and self-employed people in rural areas are disproportionately affected by the current coronavirus crisis.
*A ‘micro-enterprise’ is any business employing fewer than 10 people and/or with a turnover less than £500k
The REDS project aims to provide funding, support and collaboration opportunities to the small businesses of rural Scotland.
Crowd Funding
The organisation’s immediate focus is to establish the REDS fund to enable them to provide grants to struggling enterprises before they are forced to close permanently. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to ask the people of Scotland and further afield, to help them raise the £3 million required to support 1,200 micro-enterprises. For further information on how you can help see here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/reds
Grant Funding
To support as many enterprises as possible, grants will be provided under a unique 50:50 principle: 50% of the grant will go to the business requiring support, and 50% to whichever rural business(es) are providing the service required.
Online Directory
REDS is an online directory for all rural businesses in Scotland – to promote enterprise in every sector, to stimulate connection and collaboration across the country. The directory is in development and will be hosted here: https://www.reds.scot
Free Enterprise Support
Free ongoing enterprise support will be offered to any business who applies for funding – delivered by GrowBiz and its network of national partners.
REDS will bring together the many agencies, support organisations and experts which work to support rural enterprise in Scotland – and match businesses to the support they need most.
For more information on the project please contact us: connect@reds.scot
If you require any further information regarding funding, please contact
Alison Clark
Covid-19 Response Coordinator
Tiree Community Development Trust
T: 07741 489 959
English