Airdrie and Shotts MP Encourages Applications For New £10m Scotland Loves Local Fund

SNP MP, Anum Qaisar-Javed, is encouraging applications for the Scottish Government’s new Scotland Loves Local Fund.

The £10m fund was unveiled by Community Wealth Minister, Tom Arthur MSP, on Monday (9th August). It will provide match funding between £5,000 and £25,000 for projects aimed at encouraging shoppers to support local businesses and enterprises.

Eligible projects could include things like community shops, marketing and digital schemes, refurbishment of vacant or derelict sites, making minor adaptations to improve the local environment or creating events and performance spaces.

Commenting, Ms Qaisar-Javed said:

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen a real challenge for local businesses – some of whom have had to close for long periods, while others have been forced to make adaptations to try to reduce the potential spread of COVID.

“As part of our national economic recovery, it’s vital that we get communities to unite behind and support our high streets and town centres. The Scotland Loves Local Fund gives us that opportunity to showcase all of our amazing local businesses and entrepreneurs and, in doing so, hopefully we can encourage many more people to shop locally and explore everything that our town centres have to offer.”

The Scotland Loves Local Fund is open until 5pm on the 1st October. For more information visit www.lovelocal.scot.