Objectives and Assistance

The Outer Hebrides Digital Support Scheme (OHDSS) is financed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Business Gateway Service. It is open to businesses based in the Outer Hebrides to help them with digital development, improving their business performance and enable growth.

The grant can be used towards:

• Reducing (non-staff) operational costs;
• Enabling employment to be safeguarded or increased;
• Increasing profit margin;
• Moving business online;
• Improving market share;
• Increasing revenues;

A programme of up to 20 hours of 1-1 support is also available.

Levels of Grant available

Full-time businesses

Maximum £5,000.

Part-time businesses

Maximum of £2,500.

Level of Support available

Up to 75% of eligible costs.

Eligibility and Conditions

The Outer Hebrides Digital Support Scheme subject to the following conditions:

• Open to new and existing businesses based in the Outer Hebrides. Business owners/applicants must also be based in the Outer Hebrides. 
• Applicants eligible for other public funding may also access funding from this scheme, though the total funding amount must be within Subsidy Control guidelines.
• Sole-traders, partnerships, limited companies, co-operative groups, social enterprises or other legitimate business trading entities can apply for support.
• Activity must satisfy the key aims of the scheme, which is to support businesses with digital development;
• The development of new tourism accommodation projects is considered ineligible.
• Applicants must be able to fund the project until the grant can be claimed. Grant payments will be released only upon submission of proof of payment. No money should be spent until an application has been approved and an official letter of offer received.
• Applicants with income from other employment are likely to be considered part-time.
• Individual items grant funded by other public sector agencies will not normally be considered eligible.
• There is no guarantee of receiving the maximum award, as the scheme gives priority to high impact projects.
• Each application will be considered on its own merits.

The following will be required:

New businesses: business plan and financial projections (three years).

Existing businesses: accounts, business plan (or business/project overview) and financial projections.

In addition, applicants will be required to complete an online application form, provide copies of bank statements, a credit check and any other supplementary information considered necessary to assess their application fully.

Scheme terms and conditions apply and may change from time to time.

For further information, please contact us on businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk.