The Prince’s Wales’s Charitable Fund reopens
The PWCF (The Prince’s Wales’s Charitable Fund) small grants programme has reopened, and organisations can now apply online for up to £15,000 over three years.
Awards will be made by 31st March 2023. This funding round will close on the 20th February 2023.
PWCF is particularly interested to receive applications from organisations working in the following areas:
– Northern Ireland
– Yorkshire and the Humber
– North East
– North West
PWCF welcome applications from organisations working across one or several of our six funding themes. That said, they would especially like to encourage applications from organisations delivering projects which help their environment or preserve the fabric of our countryside.
PWCF is also interested to hear from organisations working to alleviate the impact of the cost of living crisis.
If you have any questions prior to completing the funding application, then please email contact@pwcf.org.uk.
You can apply online here.
Supporting Rural Communities
The Prince’s Countryside Fund remains one of very few funders focused on rural communities across the UK. Our experience shows that, by working with local organisations, we can help to address the challenges faced by those who live and work in rural areas. Supporting Rural Communities is the flagship grant programme, awarding £500,000 each year to power community-led solutions that enhance the viability and sustainability of rural communities. Grants are for a maximum of £25,000 over two years, and applicants must be from properly constituted, not for profit organisations with an income of less than £500,000. We support projects taking places in villages and towns in rurally isolated areas, where access to services is limited.
Click here to find out more and take an eligibility quiz.
Seed capital funding launches for UK entrepreneurs in colour/dyeing industries
The Dyers’ Company has launched a new Seed Capital Investment Fund designed to support innovation in, and the commercialisation of, business ideas with a link to colour or colouration. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 28th February.
The Dyers’ will consider initial investment of up to £25,000 per venture for fledgling businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to transform their innovative ideas into successful businesses.
The initiative is relevant to a vast range of industries/activities with a connection to colour and colouration including colour chemistry and science, food technology, healthcare (e.g. medical dyes), engineering, sustainable dyeing, textiles production for fashion and interiors and much more.
New funding for farmer led Research Starter innovation projects
Businesses can apply for funding for projects to improve productivity, sustainability, resilience and the move of agriculture sector towards net zero.
This funding has been allocated to the Research Starter funding opportunities series within the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme. This is delivered by Innovate UK’s transforming food production challenge.
Zero Carbon Cumbria – Community Climate Grants
The Zero Carbon Cumbria – Community Climate Grants, is a £100,000 funding pot to support local initiatives to raise awareness of climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The funding will contribute to the work of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership over a five year period. We are grateful to Allerdale Borough Council for contributing an additional £10,000 to this grants pot to benefit more projects in Allerdale.
We are particularly keen to reach out to groups getting set up in areas of the county which haven’t previously taken action to address the climate crisis at a local level, and to offer support to groups working alongside more vulnerable individuals who will be hit hardest by climate change.
The aim of the funding is to get as many people as possible to ‘do their bit’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Small (£200 – £750), medium (£750 – £2,000) and a small number of larger grants (up to £10,000) will be awarded to local groups until 2025.
For further details click here
UK Space Agency announces new funding
The UK Space Agency has announced £50 million of funding for ambitious and innovative projects that will boost the UK’s satellite communications industry. The funding is part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services programme.
Read more about the funding by clicking here
Hardship grants supporting people through the winter
Community groups and organisations across Cumbria are being encouraged to apply for funding to help people who are struggling financially.
Working in partnership with Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Community Foundation is offering financial support to charitable organisations that are helping people through the cost of living crisis this winter.
The Community Hardship Fund is providing grants of up to £10,000. The money can be used for practical skills such as budgeting and cooking courses or to buy equipment for community lunches. The grants will also cover costs to sustain a service e.g., foodbanks, food pantries and hubs, and additional staff costs to increase activities.
Applications to the Community Hardship Fund can be submitted at any time and groups should hear the outcome of their application within 10 working days.
To apply for funding, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/community-hardship-fund or contact Annalee Holiday via annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or on 01900 825760.
Grants available to support young people making a positive contribution to their communities
Projects that encourage young people to take action on the issues that matter to them can apply for up to £5,000 through the #CanDo Fund.
Administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, the #CanDo Fund creates opportunities for skills development for young people living in West Cumbria, including social action through campaigning, fundraising and volunteering, all of which make a positive difference to their communities.
Since 2020, the #CanDo Fund has awarded more than £135,000 to 30 projects, with all the of them having been considered by a youth committee, putting the decisions in the hands of the next generation.
The #CanDo Fund is funded by Sellafield Ltd, with match funding from Thomas Graham & Sons and local donors, and is part of Transforming West Cumbria, a multi-year social investment programme developed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
The deadline for applications for the next round of #CanDo grants is 17th February 2023.
For more information or to apply visit, www.cumbriafoundation.org/transforming-west-cumbria/cando or contact Annalee Holliday on annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or 01900 820827.
Copeland Borough Council grants
Grants of up to £20,000 are available for cultural and heritage projects or feasibility studies.
As part of the UK’s Social Prosperity Fund, existing cultural, heritage or art institutions can apply for grants for both capital works (up to £20,000) and revenue support for events and activities (up to £20,000).
There’s also chance to secure up to £20,000 for a feasibility study for any organisation at the concept stage of a project.
To find out more about the grants, eligibility criteria and application forms contact info@copelandcommunityfund.co.uk by 17th February.
High street funding
Are you a business based on Carlisle high street or the districts of Carlisle such as Brampton, Denton Holme, Longtown?
If you’re looking to start a new business, thinking of relocating or opening a new branch or a trading business looking to expand or diversify to help footfall and growth there are grants available.
You can claim up to 30% of the costs towards revenue (£3,000) or capital (£5,000).
For further details contact Michelle Masters of Carlisle Ambassadors.
The Flight Story Fund
A new fund backed purely by Europe’s greatest and most successful entrepreneurs has been launched with the aim of investing in the next wave of great European founders.
If you’re a founder looking for capital and want the support of Europe’s best entrepreneurs this is the fund for you!
Visit www.flightstory.fund to find out more.
UK Youth and Pears Foundation’s £5m fund
A fund to support youth organisations through the cost of living crisis aims to benefit thousands of young people across the country.
The UK Youth Fund in partnership with Pears Foundation has been launched as the UK faces the worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s, with young people facing a bleak future without additional support.
UK Youth and Pears Foundation are both deeply concerned about the impact the crisis is having on youth organisations and young people across the UK.
The fund aims to ensure that as many vital youth services as possible are able to keep the lights on and support young people in their local community. If forced to shut down, these services may never return.
To find out more click here
Transgender Equality Policy just added to Quest Portal
Following many requests from Chamber members there is now a Transgender Equality Policy available to download on the Quest Portal, covering areas including definitions, recruitment, employment, and transitioning employees.
The document can be found in the employee handbook section of the document library which contains templates for a wide range of policies covering everything from health & safety to homeworking personnel.
Remember, the Quest document library is included at no extra cost as part of your Chamber membership.
Anyone interested in finding out more about this and other Chamber member benefits please get in touch – info@cumbriachamber.co.uk
Businesses urged to update telephone technology
From 2025, ISDN (integrated services digital network) and PSTN (public switched telephone network) telephone lines will be permanently turned off. Only 15% of small and medium-sized businesses have plans in place to migrate to an alternative technology which will replace ISDN and PSTN lines.
To read more about the replacement click here