Links to
other agencies, funding and support websites
If you are a community group, business
or funding organisation and you wish to promote a funding
opportunity or related activity on our
website, please email david.baird@northumberland.gov.uk. Note
the editors decision on what is considered appropriate is
final.
The information contained in this website is meant as a general
guide only. It has been prepared from information provided
by third parties and NCC accepts no responsibility for
any actions taken or not taken in reliance on or in connection with
this information. Where reference or links (which may not be active
links) are made to external publications or websites, the views
expressed are those of the authors of those publications or
websites which are not necessarily those of NCC and NCC
accepts no responsibility for the contents or accuracy of those
publications or websites.
Supporting
Businesses
In April 2012 responsibility for the
Council's business development activities transferred to Arch -
the Development Company for Northumberland.
Arch has been established as a private
sector arms-length development company with a clear economic focus
designed to bring a new, more enterprising and business-like
approach to development and regeneration in the county.
Arch activities include responsibility
for Inward Investment, Strategic Account Management and the
commissioning of a range of other business support initiatives and
activities including enterprise support for business start-ups and
growing businesses.
It's mission is to:
- attract private sector investment in business and
property;
- promote enterprise and support business growth;
- support the regeneration of disadvantaged places and
neighbourhoods; and
- help create prosperous, attractive, sustainable communities
throughout Northumberland.
For further information please go to
www.archnorthumberland.co.uk tel: 1670
528400 or email info@arch-group.co.uk
Arch Corporate Strategy:
Postgraduates for Business
Newcastle University are offering subsidised Postgraduate
expertise for your company. North East SMEs can get up to
£3500 of funding for business improvement projects to help improve
your company's performance:
- Recruit a highly skilled masters or doctoral student for up to
24 weeks to undertake a bespoke in-depth project.
- Get a 50% subsidy towards their employment costs (up to £3000
and £500 for project costs)
- Benefit from guidance and supervision offered throughout the
placement by a Newcastle University academic specialised in the
project areas.
For further information please click here or contact
Postgraduates for Business, tel 0191 2225259
North East Access to Finance (NEA2F)
NEA2F is the body set up to co-ordinate and manage the
re-deployment of legacies from the region’s historical investment
funds for the benefit of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
NEA2F help businesses in the region access
finance. They do this in two ways: Firstly, acting as a
signpost for businesses to direct them to sources of finance and
support that are relevant to their needs and currently available in
the region. Secondly, working to develop new sources of public
investment funding that will become available to the region’s SMEs
after the current Finance for Business North East programme has
come to an end.
NEA2F have produced a new up-to-date online guide to
finance which can be found at www.nea2fguide.co.uk
The Business Support Finder is the
Governments online access point for business support in England
www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder
North East
Procurement Organisation (NEPO)
Businesses in Northumberland can register for free with NEPO and
bid for public sector contracts, the latest opportunities
include:
- CP178 Street Lighting Invest to Save Project - EOI closing date
03/05/2013;
For further information and to register www.qtegov.com
Enhanced
Capital Allowance scheme (ECAs) for energy-saving
technologies
The ECA
scheme for energy-saving technologies encourages businesses to
invest in energy-saving plant or machinery specified on the Energy
Technology List (ETL) which is managed by the Carbon Trust. The ECA
scheme allows businesses to write off the whole cost of the
equipment against taxable profits in the year of purchase.
Latest Funding Opportunities
Northumberland Business Growth Programme (RGF fund)
Arch is providing capital grants and loans to eligible
businesses which will support a portfolio of deliverable strategic
and business investments and build on existing opportunities
including the North Eastern Enterprise Zone at the Port of Blyth.
The programme will directly support and accelerate private sector
employment growth by promoting the areas industrial base,
supporting key sectors to diversify the economy. The programme
comprises three thematic activities:
- Sites and Premises fund
- Business Growth fund
- Apprenticeships and Training fund
For further information:
Bridges Social Impact Bond Fund
Investments of up to £3 million are available to provide
charities and social enterprises with a sustainable source of
capital and support, allowing them to focus on delivering crucial
social outcomes-based programmes that will benefit society as a
whole.
Programmes should be designed to improve social outcomes in
areas such as education, employment, housing and care for
vulnerable young people.
For further information www.bridgesventures.com
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Calls for funding proposals The North East ERDF Local Management
Committee is currently inviting the submission of project
applications under 2 calls:
- A call inviting proposals for capital and/or revenue
investment under Priority 1
- A call inviting proposals for capital and/or revenue
investment under Priority 2
Through these calls the Programme Executive Group (PEG) aims to
strengthen the Programme project pipeline by: selecting new
projects for inclusion in the Programme and inviting applicants to
submit full applications increasing ERDF investment in existing
projects to extend activity either in full, in part or in a
slightly modified form.
The calls will close on 30 September 2013. Full details of the
calls are set out in the prospectus documents below.
Please note that unlike recent calls these calls will operate as
open calls and project proposals will be considered on a rolling
basis, rather than being considered as a group at the end of the
call. If you are considering requesting an increase in ERDF
investment to extend a current project you must submit a proposal
under this call, further information on how to do this is set out
in the prospectus documents.
This will be the final opportunity to make applications to the
North East ERDF Programme. If you would like to make an application
to the North East ERDF Programme please read the commissioning
document and other relevant guidance carefully or contact carol.johns-mcleod@northumberland.gov.uk
and submit an outline application using the outline application
form
https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-erdf-funding#applying-in-the-north-east
Greggs Foundation
The Major Grants Programme for local NfP organisations with
an annual turnover of £500,000 or less, can apply for grants
of up to £15,000 per year for up to three years. The purpose of the
programme is to tackle social deprivation, specifically
around:
- People with disabilities
- Older people
- Homeless people
- Voluntary carers
The deadline for applications is 18
May 2013, for further information visit www.greggsfoundation.org.uk
Coastal Communities Fund
The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) is now open for
applications and stage one bids for England are required
by 13 May 2013. The CCF is designed to support the
economic development of coastal communities by promoting
sustainable economic growth and jobs, so that people are better
able to respond to the changing economic needs and opportunities of
their area.
Funding awards of over £50,000 are available for projects
lasting up to two years, there is no set upper limit on grants;
however, the BigFund has suggested that the maximum amount awarded
is unlikely to be greater than £2m.
Some examples of activities that might be supported by this fund
could include:
- Supporting skills and training initiatives to improve job
prospects of local residents and encourage additional new
businesses;
- Maintaining and developing specialised tourist infrastructure,
including support for new green tourism opportunities;
- Managing and adapting to flood and coastal erosion risk, and
managing pollution risks associated with the coast;
- Supporting social enterprises to bring new economic
opportunities and jobs to coastal towns and make best use of local
assets;
- Building community capacity to boost local approaches to
promoting enterprise and economic regeneration in coastal areas;
and
- Supporting small-scale and sustainable transport
improvements.
For further information:
Shell Live Wire
Shell Live Wire have up to 4 x £1000 Grand Ideas Awards to give
away each month to new businesses in the UK and in their first 12
months of trading. Applicants and all business partners must be
aged 16 - 30. For further information www.shell-livewire.org/awards-start
The Sir James Knott Trust
The aim of the trust is to help improve the conditions of people
living and working in the North East of England, applications are
normally accepted three times a year in the spring, summer and
autumn. Donations are on the themes of; community issues
and events, service charities, historic buildings and heritage,
education, young people, arts and culture, health and sport,
environment, public services and housing. For further information
www.knott-trust.co.uk.
Hadrian Trust (North East
England)
Small grants are available to help social welfare and charitable
organisations working to improve the lives of people in the North
East of England, the average grant is between £500 and £2,000.
Grants can be for a specific project or part of a project, purchase
of equipment or as a contribution towards running costs.
Applications will be considered in April, July and October 2013;
restrictions and T&C apply, for further information
www.hadriantrust.co.uk
SITA Trust Enhancing Communities
Programme - Fast Track Fund
Grants are available for community projects in qualifying
areas (www.sitatrust.org.uk/postcode-checker), the
type of projects supported can include; improvements to community
amenities such as village halls, public parks and sports
facilities, and improvements to historic buildings and
structures.
Grants up to a maximum of £20,000 are available and applications
are only accepted towards projects with a total cost of £40,000 or
less. Restrictions, terms and conditions apply, applications
can be submitted; 17 June, 19 August and 15 October 2013.
For further information www.sitatrust.org.uk/
Advanced Manufacturing Supply
Chain Initiative (AMSCI)
Additional funding of £120m for two further AMSCI rounds was
announced in the 2012 Autumn statement. This will support research
and development, skills training, and capital investment to help UK
supply chains achieve world-class standards and encourage major new
suppliers to locate in the UK. The aim of the initiative is to
increase the growth of the manufacturing sector, and:
- be collaborative, involving two or more organisations, one of
which must be a company;
- be seeking at least £2m of support per project;
- demonstrate commitment from a prime or tier 1 company in their
supply chain;
- demonstrate that they will result in carbon efficiencies;
- represent good value for money for the taxpayer, providing
evidence that the project would:
- address key barriers to growth;
- deliver high value economic, social and
environmental outcomes;
- generate significant society benefits.
The funding will be available to support the following
areas:
- The purchase of capital equipment
- R&D activity which improves manufacturing equipment,
product development, systems or processes
- Specific training and skills development to support the
project.
Interested applicants should register on www.innovateuk.org. The
competition will open on the TSB website on 21 March. The deadline
for Round 3 applications is Noon 29 May 2013 and for Round 4
applications is 16 October 2013.
Government's Start-Up Loan scheme
extended by £30 million
The Government has advised that it is contributing an additional
£30million to the StartUp Loans scheme to help young people get
started in business. For further information on
the scheme click this link.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a new
and exciting method of attracting finance for a
wide range of projects. So far it has been used in support of
a variety of activities, including; disaster relief, citizen
journalism, support of artists, political campaigns, start-up
company funding, movies, software development and scientific
research. 
There are now several UK based
internet Crowdfunding platforms where entrepreneurs can access
the market to pitch ideas and develop financial
partnerships.
This method of fundraising is
now recognised by the UK government and some platforms
are authorised by the FSA.
Funding Circle Business Loans
Funding Circle was launched in summer 2010 and provides an
online marketplace that enables individuals and businesses to
lend directly to other businesses www.fundingcircle.com
Trade Loan Fund
Launch of a new programme offering loan
assistance to sole traders in the UK's construction sector,
applications are accepted at any time www.hitachicapital.co.uk
Let's Grow
Business & Enterprise Commercial Limited (BEC) has been
awarded £30m from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) by the Department
of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to provide grant support
to businesses in the North East.
The fund will focus on manufacturing and service sector
businesses which offer more than a local service and will
support:
- Capital investment
- R&D
- Training costs (as part of an investment project)
Individual grant awards will be between £50,000 and £1m
(appraisal and acceptance fees apply) and will depend on; location
of project, state aid, company size and type of activity. The fund
will run as a quarterly competition with closing dates for
applications to be published in the Journal and Evening
Gazette.
Scheme guidance:
To apply online at www.nebusiness.co.uk/letsgrow
the first competition is now open, further rounds will be held in
June, September and December 2013.
Isos My Community Fund
Isos housing wants to create places where people wish to live
and improve the wellbeing and quality of life of residents who live
there. Investing in communities where Isos has homes, to help them
become stronger and more sustainable is one of our top
priorities.
The My Community Fund can award grants from £50 - £10,000 and
covers seven Community Investment Strategy themes:
- Setting up a new, or supporting an existing, social
enterprise
- Tackling unemployment and under-employment
- Young people
- Community health provision
- Rural transport
- Digital exclusion
- Fuel poverty
Further information can be found in the attached applicant's
guidance pack and application form or by contacting Sara
Parker-Clark, tel 0191 2923349 email sara.parker@isoshousing.co.uk.
Small Business Growth Fund (SBGF) - RDPE Rural Economy
Grants
The SBGF scheme aims to boost
enterprise and small business growth across much of rural
Northumberland, County Durham and Gateshead. Grant support will be
directed to micro enterprises with growth plans, with priority to
businesses operating in target sectors within the North East Rural
Growth Network (NE RGN) area.
Northumberland County Council (NCC), on behalf of the North
Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP), is the Accountable
body for this fund. The fund is open to eligible projects from 1st
January 2013 to 31st December 2013 and has a budget of £1m from the
Defra - Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
Funding is targeted at projects that support the growth of the
following priority sectors:
- Renewable energy services – manufacturing and servicing.
- ‘Knowledge Intensive Businesses’ – these are broadly defined
and may include business services (education, Information and
communication, financial intermediation, real estate activities,
environmental services ) or technical knowledge (including
scientific research, engineering activities, medical,
healthcare)
- Craft/Creative Industries - normally this will include
businesses involved in advertising, architecture, art and antiques,
crafts, design, designer fashion, film and video, Interactive
leisure software, music, the performing arts, publishing, software
and computer services, television and radio.
- Food and Drink production – including the development of niche
and locally branded products and projects to create or expand food
production companies that meet the definition of high growth, do
not fall within the definition of ‘agri-food and drink’ (i.e.
adding value to primary agricultural product) and will make a
significant impact on the local economy. Solely food-based retail
or restaurant businesses are excluded from the scheme.
Further information, an application form and scheme guidance
notes can be found here:
If you are considering submitting an application, in the first
instance you should contact the NE RGN Team by phone or email to
outline your proposed project. Contact: Alison
Hesselberth, RGN Programme Implementation Officer, NE RGN
Team, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF. tel 01670
623924 email Alison.hesselberth@northumberland.gov.uk
The North East Rural Growth Network
(NERGN) is one of five national pilot programmes supported
by Defra that aim to bring forward and test new ways of supporting
business growth, networking and job creation in rural communities.
The NERGN partnership is now seeking bids from private,
public or community/voluntary organisations to develop an
enterprise hub during 2013/14 to serve Hexham; for further
information please follow this internal link.
North East Business Support Fund
The North East Business Support Fund is managed by
Northumberland Business Services Ltd (NBSL). NBSL is a Department
of Business, Innovation and Skills approved enterprise agency that
works to assist pre-start, new and existing businesses by providing
information, advice and support on running and developing a
business.
The fund offers:
- Up to 40% support, to a maximum of £1,400
- A business diagnostic to clarify need
- Assistance in finding the right provider
- Links to other complementary funding in the North East
To be eligible to apply organisations must:
- Be a registered private sector business or social enterprise
based in the North East of England
- Have already commenced trading
- Have a business-to-business client base
- Be looking to increase turnover or number of employees
For further information and guidelines http://www.nbsl.org.uk/what-we-do/we-help-businesses-to-develop
Coalfields Community Grants -
Level 1
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) is an independent grant
making organisation established in 1999 to improve the quality of
living in Britain's coalfield communities.
The Trust/s Level 1 grant Programme can award grants from £500
up to £5,000. It is targeted at community and voluntary
organisations who can demonstrate that a grant will impact
positively on people living in coalfield communities. For further
information visit http://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/
Business Start-Up Loans
Start your business venture with
Start-Up Loans - support, advice and finance for young
entrepreneurs in the North East and Cumbria. The Start-Up loans
initiative is a brand new, government-backed loan fund for
18-30 year old's who want to start up their own
business.
When you apply for a Start-Up Loan you
don't just get financial help - you'll also get support and advice
as you embark on your entrepreneur's journey, helping you turn your
great idea into a successful and sustainable business.
Start-Up Loans are provided by a
network of Delivery Partners across the country. For the North East
& Cumbria, that partner is PNE, supported by Virgin Money and
Virgin Unite.
Visit www.pne-enterprise.org for
more information or www.facebook.com/pne-enterprise
People's Health Trust
The Active Communities Funding
Programme aims to close the gap between those communities who
experience the worst health in England, Scotland and Wales and the
majority of the population.
The programme seeks to support local
people to use their skills and knowledge to make their communities
better places in which to grow up, to live, to work and to age.
Projects will be supported where
local people can:
- shape activities and/or services in their neighbourhoods
and
- feel that within their neighbourhoods they have
closer social links and ties with others and
- feel that they are making a positive difference to their
community or neighbourhood
The People's Health Trust are looking
to support projects that encourage community activism - projects
designed by local people that address issues relevant to them and
benefit and improve their local community. They are keen to support
projects that bring communities together, foster a sense of
belonging and encourage local people to be involved in and take
ownership of activities and services that take place in their
neighbourhoods.
For further website information
www.peopleshealthtrust.org.uk or email
apply@peopleshealthtrust.org.uk
or tel 0207 6974021.
The Rio Tinto Alcan - Lynemouth Legacy Fund
For more than 40 years, Rio Tinto
Alcan's Lynemouth plant has played a major role in South East
Northumberland communities by supporting charities, voluntary
organisations and other good causes. With the closure of the
smelter and preparation to leave the community, Rio Tinto wish
to ensure that they leave behind long lasting benefits, which is
why they have set up a legacy fund and are inviting ideas from the
community to ensure it is invested wisely in projects that will
improve people's lives long after it has gone.
They are particularly interested in
projects that:
- Are aligned with Rio Tinto's sustainable development policy
i.e. social well-being; prosperity and the future; environmental
stewardship.
- Supports community priorities.
- Are self-sustaining and established in partnership.
The priority area is South East
Northumberland with particular focus on the communities in and
around Lynemouth, Newbiggin, Ellington, Ashington and Blyth.
Applications will
be considered by a designated committee on a quarterly basis
and whose decision is final. If you would like to discuss Rio
Tinto's Lynemouth Legacy fund, please contact Joanne
Hannay, Regional Economic Development Assistant, tel
01670 393837 or email joanne.hannay@riotinto.com
Web site address www.rtalynemouth.co.uk
Heritage Lottery fund 2013 - 2018
Strategic Framework, Open Programmes
The National Lottery has announced a
doubling of its annual budget for new awards from £180m to
£375m.
Open programmes are rolling programmes
with no fixed deadlines:
Landscape Partnerships
The programme is for schemes led by partnerships of local, regional
and national interests which aim to conserve areas of distinctive
landscape character throughout the UK. You can apply for a grant
from £100,000 to £3m.
Sharing Heritage grants of £3,000
- £10,000
Are for any not-for-profit group
wanting to explore, share and celebrate their community's
heritage. Supportable activities includes; events,
exhibitions, festivals and celebrations, or producing local
history publications, conservation of individual heritage
items, volunteer training and support.
Our Heritage grants of £10,000 -
£100,000
Supports all types of heritage
projects, for example smaller parks and green spaces, community
buildings, museum collections and archives as well as activity
projects exploring language cultures and memories.
Heritage
Grants grants of £100,000 - £5m, for all types of
heritage projects.
Heritage Grants
Major Batch grants of £5m or more.
Heritage Enterprise
The Heritage Enterprise programme aims to support community
organisations to stimulate economic growth by helping them to
rescue neglected historic buildings and sites and return them to a
viable and productive use. Grants of between £100,000 and £5
million are available, applicants must make a contribution to the
project which will include the cash value of the asset once the
conservation defecit has been calculated.
Projects are expected to create sufficient revenue to provide a
reasonable return for the owner/developer and provide enough income
for the ongoing and future maintenance and repair of the
heritage asset.
For further information on the new Strategic Framework and other
HLF targeted programmes http://www.hlf.org.uk/
Esmee Fairbairn North East
Fund
The fund will run for 3 years from
2013 - 2015 and will be managed by the Community Foundation Tyne
& Wear and Northumberland. The fund is open to groups working
in areas of deprivation in the North East, it is for small and
medium sized community groups with an income between £50,000 and
£250,000. Grants are likely to be less than £10,000 and a
maximum of £30,000 covering up to three years.
For further information
Accessing the Northumberland
Grants Portal link and registering with GRANTnet or
Grants4:Northumberland will enable individuals living in
Northumberland and businesses, charities and voluntary sector
groups based in Northumberland to obtain free online
searches for grants, funding and a range of advice
services.
Funding Bulletins
