Download Marketing Development Programme for Business Scheme

Marketing Development Programme for Business
Scheme description
The Marketing Development Programme (MDP) grant scheme is designed to
assist businesses and approved trading organisations that are developing
commercial products and services to benefit the Shetland economy.
Eligible expenditure
Examples of eligible expenditure are: promotional campaign for a new product
launch, promoting products in new markets, developing e-commerce
capabilities for the first time, paying for bespoke or published market research
or undertaking a formal, structured market development investigation.
To qualify for assistance, marketing project costs must exceed £1,000. This
does not apply to new business start projects. A new business start is
considered one that is operating within a 24 month start-up period.
Assistance available
Grant is paid at the rate of up to 50% of the actual eligible expenditure,
subject to a maximum allocation of £10,000/year per applicant in each Council
financial year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March. A higher allowance may
be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Development goals
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Provide a product or service in Shetland for sale in markets outside
Shetland;
To attract business to Shetland from outside eg through tourists and
other visitors;
Provide a product or service that, not currently provided in Shetland at
the moment ie “import” substitution.
Projects not suitable for this scheme
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Projects that focus on the Shetland market are ineligible for assistance;
Routine or repeat marketing projects cannot be considered for grant
funding;
The scheme is restricted to revenue costs only. Capital costs cannot be
considered.
Projects by Public bodies, trusts and the subsidiaries of such
organisations and any fisheries related businesses are currently not
eligible for assistance.
How to apply for assistance
You must first discuss your project in advance with a member of Shetland
Islands Council's Economic Development staff to ensure eligibility. Following
confirmation of eligibility, an application form must be completed and
submitted. For further information, to discuss your project or to request an
application form please contact:
Kevin Moreland
Marketing Project Manager
T: 01595 744 937
E: [email protected]
Additional information required
You should include a marketing plan which includes a detailed project
summary and evidence of proposed costs.