£120,000 Grant Funding Pot for Small Businesses and Community Groups Going Green

Deadline: 25-Jul-21

Applications are now open for the Small Businesses and Community Groups Going Green in St Helens Borough to reduce carbon emissions or to increase an organization’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Examples include but are not limited to:

Renewable energy projects
Energy efficiency projects
Zero or low carbon transport
Waste reduction
Empower local community to promote a culture of sustainable living
Support biodiversity and ecological change
Increase community composting

Funding Information

This grant funding opportunity will support bids up to a maximum of £10,000 and is open to enterprises with less than 250 employees, and who are locally based.
Community organisations such as charities, voluntary and faith groups, Friends of’ groups and residents’ associations are able to bid up to £5,000.

What type of projects supported?

Capital projects that tackle the climate emergency by delivering quantifiable carbon benefits (upfront capital funding will be supported but ongoing revenue costs will not be funded).
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Renewable energy projects: Use of renewable forms of energy e.g. Solar PV and/or battery storage systems for solar PV.
- Energy efficiency projects: Reduce consumption, lighting upgrades or smart heating control units.
- Zero or low carbon transport: Improvement to cycling infrastructure or a project to promote cycling.
- Recycling and reuse projects: Including but not limited to increasing material that can be recycled and extending the lifetime of materials through re-use or refurbishment.
- Empower local community to promote a culture of sustainable living: Community initiatives that promote sustainable lifestyle choices.
- Support biodiversity and ecological change: Tree planting in small open spaces, creation of pocket parks or a community allotment project.
- Increase community composting: Provide support to residents without gardens, set up schemes in parks, allotments and community gardens.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are encouraged from local SMEs and community organisations who wish to reduce their carbon footprint and support the council on its journey to net zero by 2040.
A total of £120,000 is available 2021/22, split into two streams:
- Stream 1: Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs)
  - Fewer than 250 employees
  - Locally based with their Head Office located in St Helens
- Stream 2: Community organizations
  - Examples include:
    - Charities
    - Voluntary groups
    - Faith groups
    - Residents associations
    - ‘Friends of’ groups

For more information, visit https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/news/2021/june/11/120-000-grant-funding-pot-for-small-businesses-and-community-groups-going-green-in-st-helens-borough/