Thanks to funding from Westmorland & Furness Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) are leading this dynamic initiative dedicated to supporting local organisations on their journey towards decarbonisation and sustainability.
This hub offers tailored expert advice, training and events, grants, and a vibrant network of partners and collaborators, for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises.
Support being delivered includes:
- Business decarbonisation grant scheme
- Carbon audits and environmental management support
- Energy audits and advice visits
- Vehicle audits, electric vehicle advice visits, electric vehicle charge point connection advice
- Low carbon food advice
- Online hub
- Networking events and peer support
- Training
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce will be administering the business decarbonisation grant scheme as well as managing the online hub.
The grant scheme supports businesses in the Westmorland & Furness area to undertake carbon reduction measures by providing a revenue or capital grant. The magnitude of carbon savings will be prioritised in the grant assessment process. Help is available to estimate the carbon savings associated with your proposed activity.
With a total of £215,000 available up to 31st January 2025 there are 43 grants available with grants to approve and pay out this financial year!
Grants of up to £3,000 no match is required.
Grants of more than £3,000 and up to £10,000 require a 30% match contribution, with 70% contribution from UK SPF.
The following types of activities will be supported:
- Training and coaching (excluding that which is already subsidised through this programme)
- Accreditations
- Research and development
- Consultancy advice, audits and surveys
The following types of equipment and capital work will be supported:
- Renewable energy technology (such as solar panels, solar thermal and associated electrical battery or heat storage)
- Improvement to the thermal fabric of buildings (for example, additional insulation and window thermal upgrades such as double, triple or secondary glazing)
- Transition from fossil fuelled to electric heating and fixed equipment
- Energy efficiency upgrades to lighting and fixed electrical appliances and equipment.
- Improvements to building energy controls
- Upgrades to electrical infrastructure and metering, including electricity grid upgrade and connection fees associated with installing low carbon technology (such as EV charge points or solar PV panels)
- Equipment to support reduction in resource consumption
- Equipment to support waste reduction
Excluded:
- Internal staffing costs
- Electric vehicle charging points
- Electric vehicles
The grant scheme is now open for applications. The application form and grant guidance can be found here.
We’ve also launched today the online hub – a one stop shop of useful resources, links, templates, case studies, events, project support and signposting. We’ll be adding to this further over time.
Future Fixers have already scheduled in some great support as another delivery partner.
Good Business Drop-ins, Georgian Room, Kendal Town Hall
Taking place on the third Tuesday of every month, these morning Drop-ins are a great chance to network with like-minded people. You’ll also be able to use the co-working facilities and get good advice from a range of experts who are there to help your business thrive and to get people and planet at the heart of what you do. Breakfast networking between 8am and 9am and free hot drinks and snacks available all morning until noon.
Further details here
Is your business idea a good one? Online Workshop
For those unsure about whether to start a new business, clarify their idea or develop their existing business* You will explore all the ingredients of a successful purposeful business, starting with YOU. Further details can be found here.
After completing the workshop, you may wish to sign up for our face-to-face Purposeful Business Start-up Programme, in which case your £10 workshop fee will be refunded.
*Open to those who haven’t yet started a business AND those who have been in business for less than three years.
Purposeful Business Start-up Programme, Georgian Room, Kendal Town Hall
Future Fixers’ flagship programme is back, face-to-face. You will learn the ins and outs of creating a profitable business that has a positive impact for people and planet. Not only this, but through personal and group coaching, Karen and Dave will help you build the confidence and resilience you’ll need for your business journey. Further details here.
For anyone wishing to speak to the dedicated programme help desk to find out about the full range of support of offer – you can call 01768 210276 or email greenhub@cafs.org.uk
The Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub has received £571,359 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
