Firstport Social Innovation Challenge

Grant-funding and tailored support for innovators with social enterprise ideas that tackle the most pressing challenges of our times, aligning with the First Minister’s priorities:

  • – Eradicating child poverty
  • – Growing the economy
  • – Tackling climate emergency
  • – Ensuring high quality and sustainable public services

The winner will receive a £50,000 grant and tailored support for the duration of their award to help them kick-start their solution. Other finalists will receive £25,000 each, in addition to signposting or introductions to alternative sources of funding or capacity-building programmes

Register Expression of Interest by 28 June.
Application period 1 Jul – 28 Aug.

Social Innovation Challenge – Firstport

  • Firstport Social Innovation Challenge

    Grant-funding and tailored support for innovators with social enterprise ideas that tackle the most pressing challenges of our times, aligning with the First Minister’s priorities: The winner will receive a £50,000…

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  • Firstport Community Enterprise Fund

    New grant programme offers up to £5,000 to help community organisations in Scotland take the first steps toward starting a social enterprise. The grant supports early-stage ideas that aim to generate…

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  • CARES Community Buildings Fund

    Provides grants to help community organisations reduce their building’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by funding the installation of renewable technologies like heat pumps, battery storage, and…

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  • The Fidelio Trust

    The Fidelio Trust offers grants of up to £5,000 in support of the Arts, in particular Music. Funding aims to provide support to individuals (over 21) or groups of exceptional ability…

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  • Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust

    Intended to support charities and community groups with the cost of an electricity supply connection to a community project – to a new property or to upgrade an existing supply. The…

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  • TSI Western Isles Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults 2025-26 and 2026-27

    As part of the Scottish Government’s Fairer Funding pilot the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults is included and organisations can now apply for two-year funding. In the Western…

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  • The Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery

    (UCVO will administer the fund for Uist)  The Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery has been created to: Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 per week. Players can buy as many tickets as…

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  • UCVO Community Trust Fund

    Funds raised through sales in Benbecula Thrift Shop go towards the UCVO Trust Fund which provides small grants to individuals resident between Berneray and Eriskay, and who are experiencing financial challenges.…

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