Falkirk Council

Forth Valley Growth Grant (FVGG)

A capital grant for small and medium-sized businesses in Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling, funded by the UK Government's Local Growth Fund and run by the three councils with Falkirk Council as lead. It pays towards equipment and premises improvements that will increase turnover, create jobs or reduce carbon: up to 75% of eligible costs for projects of £5,000 or less, up to 50% above that. Applicants are also expected to work towards Fair Work First and Net Zero and to offer a small community benefit in return.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £1,000 – £25,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and trading social enterprises with fewer than 250 employees and turnover below £45 million, operating, located and trading from commercial premises in Clackmannanshire, Falkirk or Stirling council areas (owned, or under a signed lease, rental or licence)
The business must have been trading (receiving sales income) for at least 12 months, operate full time and employ at least one full-time member of staff, have a dedicated business bank account, and not be in bankruptcy, liquidation or similar, or owe the council any debt or business rates arrears
It must show how the investment will grow the business through increased turnover and/or jobs
Charities, community groups and other not-for-profits cannot apply, except trading social enterprises with employees and a growth plan
Retailers are considered only if they serve more than a local market (customers from outside Forth Valley, or something unique not available from other local retailers), and several sectors are excluded (see exclusions)
Applicants are expected to be working towards the Scottish Government's Fair Work First approach and Net Zero, and to offer a small community benefit such as school talks, volunteering or work placements

What it funds

Capital investment that will increase turnover, create jobs, or support business expansion. Examples of eligible capital items include, but are not limited to:

Plant and machinery – production machinery, processing equipment, specialist machines
Tools and specialist equipment – power tools, fabrication equipment, professional workshop equipment
Production equipment – manufacturing/production lines, cutting, printing, packaging equipment
Commercial kitchen equipment – ovens, commercial refrigeration, extraction, food-processing equipment – large scale equipment
Warehouse equipment – racking, handling equipment, pallet equipment, storage systems
Furniture and fixtures – commercial counters, fitted storage, specialist workstations
Premises improvements – renovation, refurbishment or adaptation of commercial premises
Heating/ventilation systems – commercial extraction or energy efficient installations
Accessibility improvements – ramps, accessible facilities and adaptations
Energy efficiency equipment – energy-saving machinery, efficient equipment or technology
Renewable energy equipment – solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps

Grant funding can only be used for capital expenditure. Projects must have a minimum eligible expenditure of £1,333, and a grant can cover at most 10 eligible items.

What it will not fund

Specialist vehicles/equipment – business-specific equipment or vehicle-mounted equipment
Computers and IT hardware
Computer software, licensed systems and software subscriptions
CCTV/security systems
Website development or redevelopment
EV charging equipment
Temporary structures
Speculative property development with a view to sub-letting
Stock/inventory and raw materials
Rent, utilities and insurance
Salaries and consultancy fees
Routine maintenance and repairs
Existing debts and finance repayments
Replacing equipment simply because the old equipment is worn out, unless there is a demonstrable growth benefit
Purchases made before grant approval
Ineligible sectors: professional services (lawyers, dentists, vets, doctors, accountants etc.); personal services (beauticians, hairdressers etc.); FCA-regulated businesses such as credit unions and money lenders; gambling, religion or the sex industry; pubs that do not serve hot food
Community groups, not-for-profits, voluntary and charitable organisations (trading social enterprises with employees and a growth plan can apply)
Retail businesses that only serve the local market

How to apply

Read the FVGG Guidance and Eligibility Criteria document
Email an expression of interest briefly outlining the project, what the investment is for and the benefits it will bring, to your council: Clackmannanshire employerengagement@clacks.gov.uk; Falkirk bsgrant@falkirk.gov.uk; Stirling supportfund@stirling.gov.uk
Your proposal is assessed for eligibility, possibly with a discussion or site visit from a Business Advisor
If eligible, you are given access to the online portal to complete a full application with supporting documents
A funding assessment panel decides; panels meet as needed and applications are dealt with in the order received
If successful, complete the project within 3 months of approval, submit evidence, invoices and completion paperwork, then claim the grant, which is paid on verified final invoices

The budget is allocated first come, first served and the fund closes when it is fully allocated. Further funding is planned for 2027/28 and 2028/29; projects that cannot be completed by March 2027 (for example those needing planning permission, building warrants or listed building consent) can apply for April 2027 to March 2028.

Have ready

Trading name of the business
Number of employees and turnover
Proposed expenditure
Business bank details, including the last 3 months of bank statements
Copy of your lease if you pay Non-Domestic Rates on the premises
Latest annual accounts and management accounts (management accounts certified by an accountant where audited accounts have not yet been produced)
Two quotes for each item being purchased
Any statutory consents – planning, listed building or building control
Any net zero reports supporting the application
Any policy information on net zero, community wealth building and/or Fair Work First
Project timeline
Overview of the business and plans for growth: executive summary, management and organisation, history, business and products, and market and competition

Further information may be requested for the subsidy control assessment before any award is finalised.

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