The VisitScotland Challenge Fund was a project part-financed by the European Union, designed to encourage innovative and collaborative marketing activity that attracted more visitors to Scotland and made it easier for them to book their visit.

Since its launch in November 2004, the VisitScotland Challenge Fund approved over 100 successful applications and awarded almost £1.35 million to groups across Scotland. This has involved working with over 3,000 tourism businesses in tourism groups.

VisitScotland reviewed Challenge Fund, taking account of feedback and comments from previous applicants and awardees, and launched the Growth Fund in August 2008.