Up to £885,000 to inspire the next generation of business
owners.
A new fund has been launched to spark fresh ways to engage young
people in entrepreneurship.
The Entrepreneurial Education Pathways Fund offers public and
private sector organisations grants of up to £250,000 to deliver
new and innovative courses and projects to under-18s to encourage
more young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, to choose
business ownership as a career path.
The Fund is part of Scottish Government work to establish a
world-class entrepreneurial nation and deliver on the
recommendations of the independent Pathways review that
highlighted the importance of education to widening participation
in entrepreneurship to all.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy said:
“Entrepreneurship is key to a productive and growing economy.
Tapping into a more diverse talent pool to drive the creation and
growth of new businesses is an ethical and economic imperative.
“Scotland has the potential to be one of Europe's fastest-growing
start-up economies: an economy that is strong, successful and
dynamic. The Scottish Government will continue to play its part
to make this a reality, which starts with establishing a culture
that encourages, promotes and celebrates entrepreneurial learning
from an early age.
“We want every young person to have the opportunity to experience
entrepreneurial learning and this funding will help offer the
next generation of business founders new and exciting ways to
take the first crucial steps on their entrepreneurial journey.”
The Scottish Government's Chief Entrepreneur said:
“This is an essential investment in the future of our country. It
is our children and young people who will create the jobs and
opportunities in tomorrow's economy.
“The more we can capture their interest in entrepreneurship now,
the stronger that economy will be.”
Background
The Entrepreneurial Education
Pathways Fund is open for applications until 9 September
2024.
The Scottish Government confirmed in June 2023 that it would take
forward all the recommendations of Ana Stewart's and Mark Logan's
Pathways report on under-representation of women in
entrepreneurship as part of a multi-million funding package being
delivered this year to help establish Scotland as one of Europe's
leading start-up economies. The Scottish Government's full
response to Pathways: A New Approach
for Women in Entrepreneurship is available on the Scottish
Government website.
