Local Growth Fund – Digital Support Grant

Funding is available to help businesses in East Dunbartonshire innovate and grow.

Eligible enterprises are being invited to apply for a Digital Support Grant from the Local Growth Fund (LGF) – funded by the UK Government.

The LGF aims to support economic growth through three investment themes:

• Enabling local growth infrastructure
• Support for businesses
• Skills and employment support.

The Digital Support Grant is for projects that support digital growth, improve operational efficiency through technology, strengthen digital security, protect business data and safeguard against online threats.

PLEASE NOTE: Businesses who have not previously received grant funding will be prioritised.

Only businesses based within the East Dunbartonshire area will be eligible for this fund.

The fund is open to:

• Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in East Dunbartonshire
• Social enterprises engaged in trading activities.

You must:

• Have been trading for at least 12 months
• Be based in East Dunbartonshire
• Have no outstanding debts to East Dunbartonshire Council
• Comply with all legal, environmental, and health and safety requirements.

The Digital Support Grant may fund:

• Website development or redevelopment to improve online presence or e-commerce capability
• Digital tools and software to improve business operations, productivity or customer management (e.g. CRM, accounting, booking or stock management systems)
• Hardware required to support digital development activity
• Hardware/software that improves IT security
• Cybersecurity tools (e.g. firewalls, anti-malware, encryption)
• Secure cloud-based storage or back-up systems
• Artificial Intelligence operations
• Certification schemes (e.g. First year subscription to Cyber Essentials Certification).

What it cannot fund:

• Routine maintenance or repairs
• Costs incurred before grant approval
• Projects without clear digital development impact
• Statutory compliance costs (e.g. health & safety)
• Staff wages or ongoing overheads
• Purely promotional or marketing activity
• Mobile phones.

The grant can cover up to 100% of project costs, up to a maximum contribution of £2,500. The grant cannot cover the VAT element of the project quotes.

Any costs beyond £2,500 will require to be met by the applicant.

Grant support from East Dunbartonshire Council cannot exceed 10% of recent annual turnover.

To apply – fill in and submit a completed application form with the following evidence:

• Proof of business registration
• Business bank statements (last three months)
• Latest set of company accounts
• Details of proposed digital support project
• Project quotes.