Our support

Who we work with

What we do

We help build a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive economy across the Highlands and Islands, attracting more people to live, work, study, invest and visit.

We work with businesses, social enterprises and communities across our region, which extends from Shetland to Argyll, and from the Outer Hebrides to Moray. We also support businesses looking to locate and expand in our region.

We take forward many projects at our own hand, this means we make strategic investments in significant developments that will help our economy grow.

You can find out more about our purpose and priorities in our strategy and operating plan. 

How we work with you

We work with businesses, social enterprise and communities of all sizes to help them develop and grow.

We take a place-based approach to supporting organisations. This means that we don’t use a one-size-fits-all method; instead, we tailor our support to capitalise on the unique opportunities presented across the region, helping each community reach its potential.

We engage with our clients through a collaborative and flexible approach. Our goal is to provide support that ensures your project is successful, sustainable, and delivers both economic and social benefits for the Highlands and Islands.

Depending on your needs and the specific project, we can:

• direct you to online support and diagnostics;
• work with you directly on a development program; and
• collaborate on a longer-term basis.

Who we work with

We welcome enquiries from organisations across the Highlands and Islands, and from businesses looking to locate or expand in our region too. 

We want to help create a fair and prosperous region that benefits everyone. For this reason, we prioritise our support to achieve the most beneficial and sustainable impacts.

We work with organisations that:

 

Create or retain well-paid jobs

We work with organisations that pay the real living wage and apply fair work conditions.

Create or retain green jobs

Cutting CO2 emissions is an overarching goal. Green jobs can involve the production of goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.

Increase efficiency and outputs

We support organisations to increase productivity by investing in new products, processes or services. This can be achieved through innovation, R&D, technology or reductions in carbon emissions and waste.

Focus on sustainability and growth

We aim to achieve long-term benefits with organisations that can grow sales, increase turnover and reach new markets in Scotland and beyond.

Deliver social and economic impacts

We support organisations that contribute to the social and economic wellbeing and growth of the region. This includes helping communities to acquire and develop income-generating assets to provide sustainable services and infrastructure in remote, rural and island areas.

Fair work conditions for financial support

Any organisation applying for grant funding from HIE must comply with our fair work conditions for financial support. This includes: 

• paying all employees, aged 16 years and above (including apprentices), the Real Living Wage (currently £12.60 an hour) as a minimum;
  If you cannot meet this criterion, please contact us before you apply for funding, email enquiries@hient.co.uk
• having a flexible working policy; and
• the ability to demonstrate how you support workforce development and foster employee engagement.

If you would like to speak to someone about our fair work requirements for funding or need more information, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk

How to get support

If you would like to work with us, please get in touch. You can contact your local area office or fill in our short enquiry form. You can also browse support services here on our website.

Browse all support services

We support businesses, communities and social enterprises through a range of services, including advice, funding, events and property. Find out how we can help you.

Base your business here

Get support to locate your business in the Highlands and Islands including advice, funding, property and help to make the right business connections.

Property and land

We have a large portfolio of land, premises and development opportunities available to help businesses and communities across our region.

Contact us

Please get in touch if you need our help or would like to discuss working with us.

Find Business Support

Find Business Support is a national website signposting towards public sector support across Scotland.

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