Grants of up to £2,000 are available from the City of Edinburgh Council to help local businesses increase their overseas trading.

The support is designed to help companies meet the needs of new or existing international markets, supporting local employment and investment in the process.

You can currently apply to the grant scheme, which is run by Business Gateway Edinburgh. A Business Gateway adviser will be allocated to any company that is interested in applying.

Each company will have a period of up to 12 weeks to carry out the work. You'll need to pay for your activities upfront before invoicing City of Edinburgh Council to reclaim costs through the grant payment. 

This grant is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Yes, if you are:

• a company registered in Scotland
• based in the City of Edinburgh Council area
• already trading

You'll also need to show that you require support to grow your business in new or existing international markets, with benefits for local employment and investment.

You must contact Business Gateway Edinburgh and be allocated a Business Gateway adviser before you can apply.

There is no cost to apply for this funding.

The grant is paid retrospectively. This means you'll need to pay for your activities upfront, then reclaim the costs by submitting an invoice to the City of Edinburgh Council after the work is complete.

You'll have up to 12 weeks to complete the work and submit your claim.

Businesses of any size based in the City of Edinburgh Council area.

You'll receive a decision on your application within 5 working days.

The grant is paid retrospectively and must be claimed within 12 weeks from the date of the grant award.

Visit the City of Edinburgh Council website for full guidance on the scheme and to find out how to get an application form.